62 Mr. D. Carey asked the Minister for Education and Science the problems facing practical examinations in home economics for 2002 leaving and junior certificate examinations. [9221/02]

There is no practical test in home economics at leaving certificate level. The practical tests in home economics at junior certificate level will be held between 15 and 26 April 2002 and it is my Department's intention that the examining of the practical tests will proceed on the same basis as in 2001.

My Department expects that the vast majority of the 21,000 examination candidates concerned in this year's practical tests will be examined by 26 April as planned. Should a small number of candidates remain to be assessed at the end of this period, my Department will put arrangements for the assessment of those candidates in place at that stage.