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The Leaving Certificate Applied (Irish: Ardteistiméireacht Fheidhmeach)[1] is a self-contained two-year programme of the Irish Department of Education. It was first introduced in 1995 as an alternative or variant of the established Leaving Certificate programme.[2]
According to the Department of Education, the programme is "intended to meet the needs of those pupils who either choose not to opt for other Leaving Certificate Programmes".[3] The programme is aimed at young people who have completed the Junior Certificate and students who have taken a FÁS course.[4]
According to a 2014 Irish Examiner report, approximately 3,000 students completed the Leaving Certificate Applied programme, compared to approximately 57,000 who completed the established Leaving Certificate exam programme.[5]