Cork TD calls on Government to abolish school exam fees

The Department of Education and Youth has been criticised for its “ill-timed” reinstatement of Junior and Leaving Certificate fees, as families across Cork continue to face cost-of-living struggles.

Sinn Féin Cork East TD, Pat Buckley, is now calling on the minister for education, Helen McEntee, to permanently abolish the fees, as “the sole focus of education should never be just to serve the needs of the economy”.

His comments come as parents across Cork were informed this week by school principals that the fees had been reinstated, despite being waived since 2020.

Temporary waiver over 

A department spokesperson told The Echo the fees will return to their previous rate of €109 per entry for the junior cycle and €116 per entry for the senior cycle.

“Following the Government’s Budget 2026 announcement, the temporary measures that applied for the past number of years, under which examination entry fees were waived, are no longer in place,” the spokesperson said.

“The State Examinations Commission (SEC) published details on this last week.

“Schools have also been notified that examination entry fees will apply in 2026, at the same level as when they were last charged in 2019.

“Full details of the fee collection arrangements will be notified to school authorities by the SEC in due course.

“It should be noted that the rate of examination entry fees which will apply for the 2026 examinations has not been increased since 2012,” the spokesperson added. 

“It should also be noted that, in line with the arrangements which applied when fees were last charged, candidates who hold a full medical card, or who are covered for all services on a parent or guardian’s full medical card, are exempt from examination fees.”

Mr Buckley said the recently announced budget “did not deliver for ordinary workers, and it’s now a further disappointment to see this fee being asked of already struggling families”.

“Education is one of the fundamental public services provided by the State to its citizens. A good and broad education can be transformational,” said Mr Buckley.

“The sole focus of education should never be just to serve the needs of the economy.

“It should be to develop the potential, skills, ability, and creativity of all students, regardless of their differing aptitudes and abilities, enabling them to reach their potential, and helping every student find their own path in life.”