Ms Andrea Feeney:

Regarding the point the Deputy made at the outset relating to the length of the exams and why they have to be three hours and 28 minute examinations or three hours and 10 minute examinations, our role is to assess the curriculum. It is to assess the specifications and the learning outcomes. The examinations are designed to test that. At the moment, many of our examinations are based on the final written examination. Some have additional components. In the context of senior cycle redevelopment, which the Deputy mentioned, change is coming. That will provide an opportunity to shorten the final examinations which should change because at least 40% of the marks in all subjects will have been gained before the final written examinations. There is an opportunity there to look at time in the examinations. On the pilot and the reason, I tried to explain why we need time. It is done differently in other jurisdictions. We have a spelling and grammar waiver that does not apply in all other jurisdictions. We have additional time on the timetable for all. As I mentioned, we need time to look at the cumulative impact of that.

In regard to the 25,000 who have dyslexia, it is actually 25,000 who have learning difficulties and within that-----