Minister defends reintroduction of State exam fees

State Examinations Commission has notified schools that families will once again be required to pay €116 per Leaving Certificate candidate and €109 per Junior Cycle candidate

Hildegarde Naughton: 'I have to manage my budget within my constraints and we can't continue with free measures that came in during covid times.' File picture: Brian Lawless/PA

Education minister Hildegarde Naughton has defended the resumption of State exam fees, saying the covid-era waiver could not continue indefinitely.

Opposition politicians have roundly criticised the decision, after the State Examinations Commission (SEC) notified schools that families will once again be required to pay €116 per Leaving Certificate candidate and €109 per Junior Cycle candidate — the first time the fees have been charged since they were waived in 2020.

Speaking in Tallaght on Wednesday, Ms Naughton said the fees would remain and that she and her department must work within its budget.

"I have to manage my budget within my constraints and we can't continue with free measures that came in during covid times. We will constantly be monitoring. Every department will be doing this around the cost-of-living measures that may need to be taken. But at this point, the exam fees will remain," said Ms Naughton.

Ms Naughton said there was no contradiction between the Government voting to cut excise on fuel on Tuesday while reintroducing exam fees.

Ms Naughton said the waiver of exam fees had been introduced during the pandemic era and could not continue indefinitely. She said Government departments had to begin reinstating some charges.

"But we also have to acknowledge the schemes around the school books, the free meals, and we absolutely understand that at the moment, there are cost-of-living pressures," she said.

"What we have said, as a Government, is we will bring in measures with immediate effect, but make sure that they're flexible and to be able to try and cushion the burden as much as possible for people right across the country."

Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins said the reintroduction of exam fees demonstrated "a refusal by Government to listen to the concerns of families already under significant financial pressure".

These actions show the Government is doubling down on a decision that is already causing real anxiety for families. This is a tone-deaf move at a time when households are struggling to cope with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

“Parents are already facing mammoth costs every month, from keeping up with rent or mortgages, paying energy bills, or covering basic school costs. Now, the Government is asking schools to send home another bill," said Ms Cummins.

Sinn Féin education spokesperson Darren O’Rourke accused the Government of being "out of touch" on the issue.

“It is cruel, it is completely out of touch, and it tells working families everything they need to know about this Government’s priorities."