36 Dr. Lee asked the Minister for Education the number of students who sat the leaving certificate for the years (a) 1989, (b) 1990 and (c) 1991; and the fee charged per student for each of those years for sitting the examination.

39 Dr. Lee asked the Minister for Education the number of students who sat the junior certificate for the years (a) 1989, (b) 1990 and (c) 1991; and the fee charged to students for sitting the examination.

40 Dr. Lee asked the Minister for Education whether there are circumstances where a student is unable to afford the fee for either junior certificate or the leaving certificate and is allowed sit the examination free of charge; and if the fee can be means tested.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 36, 39 and 40 together.

The junior certificate examination is being held for the first time this summer. It is replacing two junior cycle exams — the intermediate and day vocational (or group) certificate examinations.

The total numbers who sat the certificate examinations in the years referred to by the Deputy were as follows:

37 Dr. Lee asked the Minister for Education the number of students who sat the entrance examination for the National University of Ireland for the years (a) 1989, (b) 1990 and (c) 1991; and the fees charged per student for each of those years for sitting the examination.

38 Dr. Lee asked the Minister for Education the number of students who purchased the matriculation certificate from the National University of Ireland for the years (a) 1989 (b) 1990 and (c) 1991; and the fee charged for the purchase of this certificate.

The following information has been furnished by the National University of Ireland in respect of their matriculation examinations.

(a) Numbers who sat for the matriculation examinations and fees charged for 1989, 1990 and 1991 and fees charged: