Minister for Education Joe McHugh has today announced an extension of the Leaving Certificate schedule in a move designed to ease pressure on students.
Two additional days are to be added to the written Leaving Cert examination timetable from June 2019.
The additional days will allow for new scheduling options for examinations, which are intended to minimise clashes for students and promote the wellbeing of students sitting exams.
The Leaving Certificate summer exam timetable has traditionally been for a 13-day period, starting on the Wednesday after the June bank holiday.
The addition of two more days brings the total examination period to 15 days, with the final date for examination in 2019 being Tuesday, 25 June.
The chance was announced by Minister McHugh during a visit to Our Lady of Mercy, Drimnagh, Dublin.
Mr McHugh said: “I am delighted to be able to announce the revision to the Leaving Certificate timetable from next June.
“The State Examinations Commission has worked to determine what examinations should be moved from their traditional day in order to give students the best chance in their exams.
“I am confident that the small number of students who may have to sit three examinations in a single day will be significantly reduced as a result of these changes.
“The change is about trying to ease pressure. From talking to Leaving Cert students I hear how the exams play on their minds and any changes that we can make to ease that are really welcome.
“The State Examinations Commission will also continue to be mindful of changes in students’ subject choices and how the exams and the timetable should be set to minimise clashes and limit unnecessary stress.”
The State Examinations Commission has published the Leaving Certificate timetable for 2019 which is available here: https://www.examinations.ie/?l=en&mc=ex&sc=tt
