David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 142: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the extra assistance or allowances that will be made in the case of children that are dyslexic in carrying out tests pertaining to end of year tests such as the SIGMA-T and others, which is commonly administered in primary schools; the directions she has given or intends to give to primary schools on this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17684/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The vast majority of schools carry out end of year tests using standardised tests administered under the conditions outlined in the test manual, as this is the only basis on which a reliable comparison can be made about the pupils' functioning in the area tested.

In the area of testing mathematics, as in the case of the test to which the Deputy refers, a pupil with dyslexia could be at a disadvantage in trying to respond to questions that require competence in reading. As it is the pupil's understanding and competence in mathematics that is the focus of the testing, it is important that s/he should not be disadvantaged by these difficulties. In such a case, it is open to the school staff to make a suitable arrangement to assist the pupil, for example, the pupil could be tested separately by the class, learning support or resource teacher. An arrangement such as allowing extra time to complete the test, or helping the pupil to read the questions or write down the answers, may also be made.