Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 October 2025
202. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Youth the progress that has been made, and if a final decision will be made, on the provision of additional time allocation for dyslexic students, taking part in State exams with a professional diagnosis, that have not received a language exemption from the school management or her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54021/25]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that the Programme for Government commits to developing an appropriate mechanism to allow additional time for students with specific needs and in certain circumstances, and also to ensure that those who use assistive technology can do so in State examinations.
The State Examinations Commission (SEC) has responsibility for the operation and delivery of the State examinations, and facilitates access to the examinations through its scheme of reasonable accommodations at the certificate examinations, otherwise known as the RACE scheme.
I welcome that the SEC is currently undertaking a comprehensive review of the scheme in which it intends to give consideration to these and all relevant issues.
I have asked the SEC to respond directly to the Deputy with further detail about the RACE scheme and the ongoing system wide review of the scheme.
