Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Minister said there is the extra payment to examiners. I spoke to a principal of a school with three autism classes where five students are due to sit their leaving certificate this year. When that principal spoke to the SEC oral section to inquire as to what supports would be available for those students in terms of an SNA, the principal was told that nothing would be made available. When the principal pushed for a more definitive answer the principal was told, "Well, it depends on what is wrong with them." What an horrendous sentence to use for any child. When the principal asked if the SNA could go into the room, the reply was "Absolutely, yes", as was done in previous years. When she inquired as to additional remuneration that would be made available to the SNA she was told "Nothing". It was then suggested that she apply for two discretionary days but to use them at a later date. One of these students is already doing four languages. To ask a student to do four oral languages over two days, never mind a neurodivergent student, says to me a review is needed for fixing this system. This system is simply not working.

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