THE authorities at Kilmuckridge school, Co Wexford, have been assured that the work of all its Leaving Certificate students is secure and will be examined in the normal way, the House was told.

The Minister for Education Ms Breathnach, was replying, on the adjournment, to the Opposition spokespersons on education on the discovery of practical work submitted by the students on the roadside in Co Roscommon.

She said that an assorted delivery of 27 packages addressed to the Department was checked by Iarnroid Eireann at Athlone railway station and then placed on a truck for delivery to the Athlone office. On arrival, consignment was signed for as a unit, she added.

"It now appears that the most likely occurrence was that only 26 of the packages were delivered. Following Iarnrod Eireann's examination there was found to be a gap at the side of a canvas sided truck, which would allow a package of that size to fall out. After the Athlone delivery, the truck travelled the road on which the package was eventually found."

The Minister said she had recently announced the introduction of a fail safe mechanism for this year's Leaving Certificate results. Also, when the results were issued, a help line would be made available to assist schools with any inquiries they might have.

Mr Micheal Martin, of Fianna Fail, said that it was "unacceptable and inexcusable" that errors of this nature should continue to occur in the public examination system.

"Following on last year's debacle in the Leaving Cert Art examination, it certainly further undermines the integrity of the public examination system and reduces public confidence," he added.

Ms Helen Keogh, of the PDs, said the Minister should reassure students.