Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 7 Mar 2000

Vol. 515 No. 6

Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.

Pat Carey

Question:

278 Mr. P. Carey asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will clarify the content of paragraph 4, item 3, on the Report of the Expert Advisory Group on Certificate Examinations in relation to arrangements for the assessment of candidates with special needs in the certificate examinations; if the interpretation of that information will be contained in the certificate which the candidate will receive after the examination and draw attention to the student's disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6571/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

It is important that our examination system be as accessible as possible to candidates with special needs. By way of example, if a candidate, because of his or her special need, is unable to take the oral part of a language examination we should provide for this and ensure that the candidate is not penalised in the marking as a result.

Essentially the report of the expert group sets out to achieve this objective by providing for a variation of the actual examination to cater for the needs of such candidates.

I assure the Deputy that neither the leaving nor junior certificate results will contain any reference to a candidate's disability. These certificates will do no more than provide factual information on the actual assessment.