Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

The provision of accommodations to students with disabilities is welcome. In what sense does including on the leaving certificate a statement that an accommodation has been granted ensure integrity and fairness? The Equality Tribunal explicitly stated that the students in question had been disadvantaged by the Department. This is a serious finding given that the Department's function is to ensure equality for all students sitting the leaving or junior certificate.

The Dyslexia Association of Ireland stated that while the accommodations remove the disadvantage faced by the students in question, the inclusion of endorsements on certificates places them at a further disadvantage. I ask the Minister to comment.

While I welcome the Minister's decision to examine certain aspects of the findings, as recommended by the Equality Tribunal, I am concerned by the decision to appeal the tribunal's ruling. How will this ensure integrity and fairness? Ensuring integrity and fairness means equalising the exam for all students so they can all sit it in a fair way and receive the same certificates.

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