Earlier date for Leaving Cert results needed, says Ó Ríordáin

Responding to the announcement of the September 3 as the date for Leaving Cert results, Labour Education spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin called on the Minister to move the date back to mid-August.

Deputy Ó Ríordáin said: “Providing Leaving Cert results on 3rd September will delay the start of the academic year and create more anxiety for students who have already endured a roller-coaster year.

“The written exams are taking place at the usual time, and the accredited grades system is already in place, so I am at a loss as to why the results date will be in September.

“The Minister’s handling of this year’s Leaving Cert group has been unfair and ill thought through on many occasions.

“However, the decision to push the results to September 3rd is simply unworkable and the Department must attempt to move the date back to the standard mid-August point.

“There must be a lack of communication between the Minister and her Fine Gael colleague in the Department of Further Education as UL and NUI Galway have listed their start dates as September 6th, while UCC, UCD and Trinity College Dublin are all listed to start teaching on September 13th.

“This decision will unnecessarily push students into snap decisions, with no space for reflection, organisation, orientation or to secure accommodation.

“Students and parents need to be given ample time and space to reflect on their results and what that means for their future.

“No one should be bounced into further education when a better option may be to repeat their leaving cert, do an apprenticeship or go straight into the workforce.

“People need a chance to organise themselves and secure accommodation.

“Similarly, colleges need time to prepare for student orientation.

“The September 3 date is just not going to work for the class of 2021 and something has to give.

“Minister Foley and Minister Harris are going to have to open lines of communication. This group of students can’t continue to be victims of poor planning by this Government.”