Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 223: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of exemptions granted to students with dyslexia sitting the junior certificate and the leaving certificate, following psychological assessment for each of the years 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9356/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations including organising the holding of examinations and determining procedures in places where examinations are conducted including the supervision of examinations.

I can inform the Deputy that the Commission operates a scheme of Reasonable Accommodations in the certificate examinations. Applications for such accommodations are submitted by schools on behalf of their students.

A range of accommodations are provided to enable students with special needs to access the Certificate examinations. For example enlarged print, Braille translation, modified questions, use of a scribe, a reader, a personal assistant, a tape recorder or word processor, may be allowed depending on needs. The scheme was introduced following the report of an expert advisory group, and the introduction enabled opportunities to be provided for exemptions where a candidate was not in a position to demonstrate achievement in a core area of assessment.

I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission who will give you a more comprehensive reply.