Leaving Certificate 2020 Calculated Grades: Statements
Dail Éireann — 2020-10-01
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Norma Foley (FF), Kerry

I guarantee that I will work with the Minister, Deputy Harris, as I said earlier. I acknowledge his and his Department's co-operation in working through the current situation. Every effort we can make will be made to ensure that students who are offered a higher preference place will receive it within this academic year. There is an absolute determination to do that.
My opening remarks gave me the opportunity to acknowledge the errors that have occurred in the calculated grades system and, importantly, to apologise for the impact these errors are having. I appreciate having the opportunity to do that once again. I have listened to the concerns of Deputies and also to the comments and questions from those with whom I met remotely yesterday afternoon. The Taoiseach and the Minister, Deputy Harris, are committed to ensuring that we support students in addressing the challenges that lie ahead and when the revised offers are made through the CAO. It is important to remember, with regard to the CAO and what happens every year, that following the examinations appeals process some appeals are successful and students receive revised CAO offers. In essence, that is the same sequence we propose to follow this year. The scale is considerably bigger and that is a challenge.
Almost half of those who received calculated grades received their first preference choice as a CAO offer and 80% received one of their first three choices. Some of these students will receive revised grades. As regards those who receive revised grades, it is not limited to any single group of students or to a particular subject area. There will be revised grades across all subjects and students.
I appreciate the earnestness and sincerity of all Deputies who have engaged in the discussion tonight, of those who engaged earlier with me and of those who engage on an ongoing basis with positive and constructive contributions for the sake of education, to which we are all greatly committed. I appreciate the wisdom, experience and, indeed, the genuine nature of the contributions Members make in the House on all that happens in the education sector.
Creating and building the calculated grades process and supporting systems was a major logistical undertaking. That has been a much-used phrase over the last while but, even so, that does not take from its veracity. The calculated grades process was a direct response to challenges presented by Covid-19 and it was designed and implemented in a very short timeframe. Undoubtedly, it was done in good faith by the Minister at the time when he made the announcement on 8 May last. My focus now is on ensuring the work being undertaken by my Department, Polymetrika International and the external reviewer can be concluded as quickly as possible. I want students to appreciate that all that must be done will be done to ensure that the maximum number of students who are entitled to a higher preference offer will receive those offers.
I conclude by apologising again to the students of 2020 and acknowledging the impact the two errors have had on them. We are working to resolve the situation. I appreciate the resilience, forbearance and patience students have shown to this point. I thank the Deputies for the opportunity to be here this evening.

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Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:48:38+00:00
Sitting date: 2020-10-01