Special Educational Needs

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 October 2025

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Tuesday, 14 October 2025

Questions (486)

John Lahart

Question:

486. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Youth if there are plans to direct the State Examinations Commission (SEC) to introduce extra time as a reasonable accommodation for students with specific learning difficulties, including dyslexia and dyscalculia, in the Junior Cycle and Leaving Certificate examinations; the current status of the SECs review of this issue; the timelines for implementation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55251/25]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Youth

I 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 is giving 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.

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