State Examinations

Tuesday, 16 June 2026

Ceisteanna (510)

Eoin Hayes

Ceist:

510. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Youth the rationale for the sequencing of the Leaving Certificate appeals process and the CAO offers process in 2026, whereby the provisional date for the release of Leaving Certificate appeal results is 25 September 2026, after the issue and acceptance deadlines for rounds one to four of CAO offers; whether she has assessed the risk that students whose grades improve on appeal may be disadvantaged because relevant third-level places may already have been filled before their revised results issue; whether her Department, the State Examinations Commission and the CAO have examined alternative sequencing options to ensure that successful appellants are not prejudiced in competing for places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45738/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Youth

Higher education policy falls under the remit of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS). My Department works closely with DFHERIS, which has emphasised its strong commitment to supporting students’ access to further and higher education, including through the development of alternative pathways outside of the CAO system and the expansion of capacity in high-demand courses in recent years.

DFHERIS has advised that arrangements are in place within the CAO system to ensure that applicants who secure an improved grade on appeal can be considered for subsequent offer rounds. Where places remain available, or where additional capacity arises, eligible applicants may receive a revised offer in later rounds. Most applicants who receive an improved grade on appeal are accommodated through these processes in the current academic year. It is recognised, however, that due to the sequencing of these processes, there may be limited instances where an applicant’s upgraded result issues after key CAO rounds have concluded, and where it is not possible to join the current academic year. In such cases, higher education institutions may make provision for a deferred place, allowing the applicant to take up their programme in the following academic year.

In relation to the Leaving Certificate appeals process, the State Examinations Commission (SEC) has responsibility for the delivery of the State examinations, including the timing of the Leaving Certificate appeals process.

In view of this, I have asked the SEC to respond directly to the Deputy.