Muireann Duffy
Updated: 2.15pm
The State Examinations Commission (SEC) has confirmed it will issue this year's Leaving Certificate results on Friday, September 2nd.
The exams began on Wednesday, June 8th and are due to finish with the Physical Education (Higher and Ordinary level) paper next Tuesday (June 28th).
The results are traditionally issued in mid-August, with first round CAO offers made a few days later.
However, this year's inclusion of additional sittings of the exams for students impacted by bereavement or illness has delayed the final issuing of results.
The SEC confirmed approximately 131,000 students are sitting this year's Leaving Cert exams, up 6 per cent on 2019 figures - the last time the whole cohort were required to sit traditional written exams.
The SEC also noted this year's date is in line with the 2021 results, which were issued on Friday, September 3rd.
Minister's promise
The delayed release date is also on account of the Minister for Education's commitment that the overall results will be "no lower, in the aggregate" than 2021's results, adding another stage of checks to the correction process.
In addition, the SEC highlighted the impact of "shortages in the numbers of teachers required to fill examiner positions to mark written examinations", adding that while the correction of scripts has already begun, "the SEC is continuing to recruit examiners".
Speaking on Thursday afternoon, Minister for Education Norma Foley told RTÉ Radio's News at One that even one of these challenges would have been difficult to overcome, but dealing with three had made the deferred date necessary.
"I was conscious that we are still journeying through Covid and every student should have the maximum opportunity to showcase their talents and if they were impacted by Covid, it has always been my belief that there would be a second opportunity for them," Ms Foley said.
The Minister said she expects third-level institutions to be flexible for first year students, but added the Leaving Cert is not just an opportunity for higher education, but for many pathways, such as the world of work.
The exam results will be released through the Candidate Self-Service Portal on the SEC website, with further information being sent by email to candidates.
