Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees
Thursday, 2 October 2025
Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Youth
Issues Affecting People with Dyslexia and Dyscalculia: Discussion
2:00 am
Pauline Tully (Sinn Fein)
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There was a time gap from when it was announced to when it actually started. Is it really necessary to have a review? I know the commission has to look at the times for exams and so on. I have seen timetables change before for different reasons. For example, subjects were swapped to different days so children were not doing English and another heavy subject on the same day. There may be a need for change. If it is something that has been done across Europe and in Britain, we do not need to reinvent the wheel. We just need to see what they are doing and change it.
Stakeholder engagement is very important. Since the UNCRPD was passed and ratified in this country, there has been an onus on all organisations, Departments and public bodies to engage with stakeholders. They must listen to the people, advocates and advocacy groups and ensure they are taking on what is required.
Ms Feeney said changes were made to accommodations for people who were blind or visually impaired. I was in contact with Niamh Kilcawley, who was very vocal on this issue. It was her advocacy that probably led to the changes that were badly needed. Well done to her.