I am calling on the Government to waive the student exam fees for the 2026 junior cycle and leaving certificate exams in light of the cost of living. Working families must be protected. For 2026, students are being asked to pay €109 for the junior cycle and €116 for the leaving certificate. While these amounts may seem small, they place a real burden on the working family right now, particularly at a time when the cost-of-living challenges are so significant and the family has more than one child sitting State exams. Indeed, one family I know of has three students sitting upcoming State exams.

We know from recent experience that these fees can be waived without affecting the smooth running or high standards of the exams. During the pandemic, when fees were temporarily removed, the system operated effectively and students were able to focus fully on their studies. In light of this, I call on the Minister for education to debate this proposal and consider waiving the State exam fees for 2026. Doing so would provide genuine relief for working families. It would also remove an unnecessary worry for students and allow them to concentrate and achieve their full potential in the upcoming State exams. Supporting our young people and families in this way would be a fair and constructive measure, and it would send a clear message that we value accessibility and opportunity in education in a time of financial worry for working families in this country.