Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister for being here this morning. I have tabled this Commencement Matter on behalf of those who have been diagnosed with dyslexia, their families, teachers and friends and the society that represents those with dyslexia and dyspraxia. I am asking for an update from the Minister on what engagement the Department has had with the SEC on their request for extra time for students with dyslexia or dyspraxia to complete exams. When we think about it, we have all got our own challenges, abilities and disabilities; some of them seen, some of them not. Dyslexia and dyspraxia are two quite common challenges that a lot of people have. Some of the brightest names in history - people such as Leonardo da Vinci, Pablo Picasso, Albert Einstein, many Hollywood stars and many other great names who succeeded in the world, made their mark and made huge contributions to society, culture, commerce, engineering and all walks of life - had dyslexia. As a young person trying to develop as a person and move from childhood to adolescence, one of the biggest challenges we all face is going through and completing State exams. It is a very daunting challenge even for the brightest and most capable of students because it is the first time in a person’s life they are objectively, independently measured on their academic capacity. Even the brightest, most capable, most prepared and well-resourced students can struggle in that moment of examination and the pressure of exam time.

When we then think of those who have the additional challenge of dyslexia and dyspraxia, it is not too much to ask that we recognise and support those students to achieve their maximum potential. I fully acknowledge the additional supports that are in place for students with additional learning needs, they are very welcome and valued. However sometimes time is the most precious commodity. For those students in an exam setting; time is incredibly valuable. For the students, teachers, parents friends, supporters and community, the society that represents those students is asking simply that they be given some extra time when it comes to completing their educational exams. I am hoping the Minister of State can provide an update on what engagement the Department has had with the SEC and I look forward to his updating the House in a positive way on what progress has been made to meet that request. It is a reasonable request with which I hope the Minister of State agrees and I hope he will be forthcoming with a positive response.

Mary Seery Kearney (Fine Gael)
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I welcome Deputy Bacik and her guest - it is fitting that we see her here on the last day of the Seanad as we did on the first - we wish her the best of luck in not coming back here but going to the other House. I call on the Minister of State.

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Acting Chairperson. I am here on behalf of the Minister for Education. I thank the Senator for the opportunity to update the House on this important matter. The State Examinations Commission or the SEC has responsibility for operational matters relating to State examinations. There is a reasonable accommodation for certificate examination scheme which facilitates access for candidates who would have difficulty in accessing examinations or communicating what they know to an examiner because of a physical disability.This includes medical, sensory, behavioural and mental health difficulties as well as physical difficulties, visual and hearing impairments or a learning difficulty. The category of learning difficulty encompasses a range of conditions such as dyslexia but also general learning difficulties, dysgraphia, dyspraxia and dyscalculia.

A central tenet of the RACE scheme is to ensure equitable treatment for all candidates, and the range of accommodations provided within the scheme has been designed to ensure fairness for all when facilitating candidates in demonstrating their level of achievement. It is important to note that access to the scheme is needs-based rather than based on a specific diagnosis. Almost one in four candidates at the 2024 certificate examinations was provided with some form of reasonable accommodation within the scheme to support them in accessing the State examinations.

As regards candidates with dyslexia, general learning difficulties, dyscalculia and other forms of learning, an extensive range of accommodations is available. These include an individual reader, a reading assistant, an exam reading pen, a word processor, a recording device and additional time for any candidate using a scribe to provide for time overhead in dictating answers.

I can advise that the challenge in determining the allocation of additional time for candidates with learning difficulties, including dyslexia, was recognised by an expert advisory group some years ago, leading to two particular measures being introduced to the scheme. First, additional time of 20 minutes per examination paper was introduced for all candidates in the leaving certificate subjects of Irish, English, history and geography. Second, a waiver from spelling, grammar and punctuation was also established. The SEC has advised that this waiver is, to its knowledge, unique to the Irish examination system.

I am advised by the SEC that it absolutely acknowledges there is increasing complexity in the special educational landscape and, by extension, in the impact on candidates with special educational needs taking the certificate examinations, and that there has been a recent focus on a number of areas, including the adequacy of additional time within the scheme. I can also advise that, in the context of senior cycle redevelopment, the SEC has commenced work on a comprehensive system-wide review of the RACE scheme. This is being overseen by the board of commissioners in the SEC, which has recently agreed the terms of reference for the review, and it is due to commence by the year end. In particular, the SEC has affirmed that the review will consider all relevant issues, including the question of additional time, and that it will involve extensive consultation with as broad a range of stakeholders as possible.

Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister of State for the reply. I welcome the fact the SEC acknowledges the increasing complexity, particularly in terms of special educational needs and examination of students with special educational needs. I also welcome the fact the SEC has committed to undertaking and will undertake a full and comprehensive review of the arrangements that are in place. The accommodations already in place are acknowledged by Dyslexia Ireland and all those who campaign on behalf of people with dyslexia. Those accommodations are valued. It is recognising the value of those accommodations that has helped identify this additional need for additional time. I welcome the fact the review will take place. I urge the SEC in completing its review to engage with all stakeholders - Dyslexia Ireland, the parents, the teachers and, indeed, some of the young people who have gone through the State examinations with dyslexia and with the benefit of the supports that are in place - in order that we can come to an accommodation that ensures every young person gets the opportunity to reach his or her full potential and the opportunity to have a positive experience from the State exams. That is what it should be. It should be a springboard from which young people move forward, confident they have the abilities to achieve their full potential.

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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I think the Senator would acknowledge that the SEC in the past has taken on board the concerns of both parents and students and has developed a comprehensive scheme. It is important there is a review. As mentioned earlier, almost one in four candidates in the 2024 certificate examinations was provided with some form of reasonable accommodation within the RACE scheme to support them in accessing the State examinations, underlying the importance of the scheme. The SEC has affirmed that its review of the RACE scheme will consider all relevant issues, including the question of additional time, which was the issue the Senator focused on. I welcome this and the SEC's intention to consult extensively with stakeholders, including representative organisations, as it progresses its review.