Ciarán Ahern (Dublin South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

861. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when she expects the eligibility criteria and additional time allowed in the SEC’s pilot for extra time in State exams under the RACE accommodations to be published; when she expects the full details of the pilot to be communicated to schools; if she or her Department officials have met with the SEC to discuss the pilot; to report on those meetings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59763/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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 relevant issues. A meeting has been arranged with the SEC in order to provide me with an update on the RACE review. My officials also liaise regularly with the SEC on an ongoing basis in relation to all aspects of its work, including the RACE review. In addition, my Department’s National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) is represented on the Steering Group for the review.

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

Eoghan Kenny (Cork North-Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

862. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills regarding the RACE Scheme for 2026, to outline the details behind the extra time pilot, including which candidates will be included in the pilot, the amount of extra time they will receive and when these details will be provided to schools, considering the closing date for reactivation and new applications is 21 November for Leaving Certificate students. [59764/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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 review.