State Examinations

Tuesday, 30 September 2025

Ceisteanna (502, 503, 504)

Emer Currie

Ceist:

502. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth the rationale for the withdrawal of spelling and grammar waivers for candidates with learning difficulties that have been granted additional time during State examinations; whether her Department has received any proposals to bring forward new recommendations following the expert advisory group's recommendations on this matter in its published report in 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52000/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Emer Currie

Ceist:

503. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth to outline when students will be notified on their eligibility for additional accommodations and additional time in the 2026 State examinations under the RACE scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52001/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Emer Currie

Ceist:

504. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth to outline whether her Department has received any proposals to change the application dates for additional accommodations and additional time in State examinations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52002/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Youth

I propose to take Questions Nos. 502, 503 and 504 together.

My Department has not received proposals such as those referred to by the Deputy.

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 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 review, as well as the specific queries raised by the Deputy.

Question No. 503 answered with Question No. 502.

Question No. 504 answered with Question No. 502.