Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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162. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when students with dyslexia, dyscalculia, and other learning difficulties, will be allotted extra time when sitting State examinations; the plan for its implementation vis-à-vis the State Examinations Commission; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55885/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I can advise the Deputy that 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.

The State Examinations Commission (SEC) has responsibility for the operation and delivery of the State examinations, and facilitates access to the examinations through its scheme of reasonable accommodations at the certificate examinations, otherwise known as the RACE scheme.

I welcome that the SEC is currently undertaking a comprehensive review of the scheme in which it is giving consideration to these and all relevant issues.

I have asked the SEC to respond directly to the Deputy with further detail about the RACE scheme and the ongoing system wide review of the scheme.