The Education Minister Jan O'Sullivan has indicated that college registration fees are likely to go up again. Last year saw them hiked by €250 in the budget.
Almost 57,000 students are receiving their Leaving Certificate results today. Schools started releasing results at 9am and results have also been available online on examinations.ie since midday.
Figures from the State Examinations Commission (SEC) show that the number of students sitting Honours maths is at its highest ever with more than 14,000 taking the paper this year. 95% of them passed the exam, with 10% earning an A grade.
It means the number of people earning the 25 bonus CAO points for the subject will hit a record of 13,660. That number is expected to push up requirements for related college courses when offers begin to be sent out next week.
However the failure rate in some maths and science subjects is also on the rise.
10% of students taking ordinary level physics achieved an E, F or NG grade. The figure for honours is 8%.
In chemistry, 15% of students failed the ordinary level paper while 9% did not pass the higher level.
Asked about plans by her her predecessor Ruairi Quinn for a further rise in registration fees in the coming budget, Ms O'Sullivan told Newstalk Lunchtime the rise will go ahead.
Students around the country have been reacting to their results. These Dublin students are very pleased:
These students spoke to Red FM at Christ King and Douglas Community School:
One Dublin student opened their results today to find they had earned 9 A1 grades. Conor Gallagher from St Michael's College on Ailesbury Road was the only person in the country to achieve that result and says "it's still a bit surreal":
13 candidates around the country scored 8 A1s.
A total of 56,990 students sat the exams this year, which is a 2.4% increase on 2013 numbers. 5.2% followed the Leaving Cert Applied Programme.
While the National Parents Council wants both students and parents to call their helpline if they have any concerns. Their Post Primary division has guidance counsellors on hand who can be contacted on 1800 265 165.
Mental health organisation HeadsUp is urging them to keep calm. Project Manager Collette Ryan has this advice for anyone who might be disappointed by their results:
Originally published 6:26 am
