Maeve O'Connell (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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68. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department is planning to introduce extra time in examinations for Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate students with dyslexia; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8474/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I am committed to ensuring that all of our children and young people have the opportunity to reach their full potential. The State Examinations Commission facilitates access to the certificate examinations through its scheme of reasonable accommodations at the certificate examinations. The purpose of the RACE scheme is to allow candidates who have special educational needs to demonstrate what they know and can do, without compromising the integrity of the assessment. The importance of the RACE scheme is underlined by the fact that, in 2024, almost one in four candidates was provided with some form of accommodation to support them in accessing the certificate examinations. The focus of the scheme is on removing barriers to access, while retaining the need to assess the same underlying skills and competencies as are assessed for all other candidates, and to apply the same standards of achievement as apply to all other candidates. An extensive range of accommodations is available including to candidates with learning difficulties, such as dyslexia.

The Programme for Government commits to developing an appropriate mechanism to allow additional time for students with specific needs and in certain circumstances, and also to ensure that those who use assistive technology can do so in State examinations. I am pleased to say that the SEC has now commenced a review of the RACE scheme, and intends to give consideration to these and all relevant issues. The SEC has established a Steering Group for the review, which is being overseen by the SEC Board of Commissioners and which met earlier this week. The SEC has also confirmed that the review will also take account of best practice internationally, and that there will be extensive engagement with as broad a range of stakeholders as possible including young people with special educational needs, their families, and representative organisations.