Quinn: Change in approach has lead to more success in Irish

Up to 56,000 Leaving Cert students finally receive their results today and much of the attention this year is on Higher Level Maths.

With more than 11,000 having sat the paper, close to 98% received extra bonus points.

Overall, three students earned nine 'A1' grades, 10 scored eight 'A1's, and 150 students around the country managed to get six or more A1's, giving them the magic number of 600 points.

There is also good news too for the Irish language as those achieving 'A' grades have increased. This has been augmented with an overall rise in the numbers passing the exam.

Education Minister Ruairi Quinn said a change in strategy and allocating a bigger percentage to Oral Irish has paid off.

Mr Quinn said: "The Department of Education has changed its approach away from the grammatical, the plu-perfect and all of the other things that many can remember towards basically enabling people to converse in Irish in a conversational way."

Thousands of Leaving Cert students will be able to access their results at their schools this morning or from midday through the State Examinations Commission website and telephone line.

Much of the focus this year was on maths after the introduction of parts of the new Project Maths syllabus.

More students than ever sat the Higher Level exam - with over 11,000 taking the paper - up from just over 8,000 in 2011.

Meanwhile, less students failed Ordinary Level Maths, giving themselves a better chance of a place at third level.

The next step for many students will be the release of first-round CAO offers on Monday.

The National Parents Council Post-Primary is running a helpline for students and their parents.

It is available at 1800 265 165.