Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)

While I welcome the review, as I set out, we now have reports going back as far as 2008 that have called for this change to be made. Many people will view the Minister of State's answer as a delay. What we want is an answer on whether the Government will provide the additional time for students' exams that has been called for. It is ten minutes extra per hour in their exams.

It is also worth saying that the international evidence is already there. I have set out what other countries do. We also know what third level institutions in Ireland do, so we do not need to reinvent the wheel. We do not need a very wide consultation on this. We can look to what is happening in third level institutions throughout the country, where students with dyslexia are provided with additional time in their exams. It is deeply unfair that students get these accommodations at third level that are not being provided at second level. This is something that should be given real consideration. I would like the Minister of State to discuss this with the Ministers at the Department responsible. Students deserve a clear answer on whether this will be changed for next year. They have waited long enough for this.

As I said, views have been expressed quite clearly by people. More than 33,000 people have signed a petition calling for extra time. This is an issue that young people themselves are now speaking out about. It is not a massive change but it will make a real difference for those students. It will put them on a level playing field with other students, taking into account the challenges they face because of dyslexia, and give them the extra time to deal with comprehension, reading and a slower writing pace. The least the State Examinations Commission can do is provide these reasonable accommodations for students sitting their State exams. They are tough enough. They are gruelling exams and students with additional needs, dyslexia or other issues should not face these additional barriers. Reforms should be made. I would like the Minister of State to commit to doing that.

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