Erin McGreehan (Fianna Fail)
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It is a separate but very much related issue and it is to do with the rights of students with disabilities and the need for extra accommodations. The Minister of State's Department is responsible for the public sector duty and the UNCRPD, as a lead Department. Recently I have been highlighting the barriers students with disabilities face during the leaving certificate in terms of access to materials and access to reasonable accommodations. There seems to be a blockage by the State Examination Commission in being ambitious, flexible and open to creating a more equitable system for children with disabilities.

For example, I had a young lady with me last week, Niamh Kilcawley, and I am sure the Minister of State has met her over the years. She is blind and she has no guarantee of getting Braille papers or an extra hour for English or history over the three hours provided. I refer to earlier or later starts for State examinations. There is this 5.30 p.m. cut off for postage of examination papers that has to be adhered to. This goes back to the silo that is each Department.

The Minister of State's Department is concerned with the rights of persons with disabilities. What support has the State Examinations Commission requested from the Minister of State because her Department has much expertise in what children with disabilities need and what they have been asking for for years and in terms of the responsibilities in relation to the UNCRPD and the public sector duty? I know that was a sideways question but it is very important because a lot of people are looking for this.