Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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427. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to calls from parents and representative groups in relation to students with dyslexia and dyspraxia and other conditions what may require them to have additional time allocated and other accommodations for State examinations; if this is under review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57279/25]

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.