<p></p><p>The Taoiseach has told the Dáil that the Department of Education has found two errors in the Leaving Certificate calculated grades system.​<br/>He said Minister for Education Norma Foley would make a comprehensive statement on the matter later.<br/><br/>Responding to a question from Labour Leader Alan Kelly, Micheál Martin said the priority is to first inform students who may have grades changed as a result of the error.<br/><br/>RTÉ News understands the errors identified by the Department affect around 10% of this year's 61,000 Leaving Certificate students.<br/><br/>Mr Kelly said the Department has &#34;gone to ground&#34; in relation to those students who are appealing their calculated grades and asked is there a reason for that.<br/></p><p><br/></p><!--StartFragment--><p>He said that will be in terms of what has occurred, the measures taken to rectify that, the rechecking of that process and bringing independent external evaluation - and above all, he added, to &#34;ease as much anxiety as we can in relation to the students themselves&#34;.</p><p>Mr Martin said the priority has to be the students themselves; those who may receive upgrades as a result of these errors have to be communicated with first.</p><p><br/></p><p>The Taoiseach told the Dáil the issue regarding the Leaving Cert results was &#34;technical&#34; and related to &#34;coding&#34;.<br/><br/>He added it will result in &#34;upgrades for quite a number of students&#34;.<br/><br/>Labour's education spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin told the Taoiseach he was &#34;astounded&#34; that there is yet another '&#34;foul up&#34; in relation to the calculated grades system.<br/><br/>He asked Mr Martin whether he thought it was unacceptable that the spokespersons from parties had not been given a briefing about the minister's upcoming statement.<br/><br/>Deputy Ó Ríordáin said this was &#34;yet another upsetting turn of events for Leaving Cert class 2020&#34;.<br/><br/>Sinn Féin's education spokesperson Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire said the news was &#34;absolutely extraordinary&#34;.<br/><br/>He said there are so many questions now; including whether those students who may have been downgraded will be allowed access third-level this year or will they be deferred to next year.<br/><br/>Deputy Ó Laoghaire said 4pm is too late for the Minister to come into the Dáil to answer questions on this.<br/><br/>The Taoiseach said the fundamental priority must be to communicate to the students involved and it is extremely important that students are facilitated in terms of progression to third-level.<br/></p><!--EndFragment--><p><br/></p><p>Published 30th September RTE news</p><p></p><p><a href="https://www.rte.ie/news/2020/0930/1168450-leaving-cert/" target="">https://www.rte.ie/news/2020/0930/1168450-leaving-cert/</a><br/></p>