DES: Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh T.D. today (Friday 31 May) announced new provisions allowing Leaving Certificate students who suffer a close family bereavement during the state examinations in June to sit alternative papers in July.

Under the new approach a special alternative sitting of examinations is to be made available to bereaved students, if required.

The decision has been taken by Minister McHugh after he requested a review in January into how students are supported in the wake of the death of a close family member during the state examinations. Read press release