The State Examinations Commission (SEC) was established as an independent agency in 2003 and has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations. Students with specific learning difficulties, such as dyslexia, as well as those with physical conditions, are accommodated in the examinations under the SEC's scheme of Reasonable Accommodations at the Certificate Examinations (RACE Scheme). The existence of a specific learning difficulty does not automatically make a candidate eligible to avail of reasonable accommodations in the certificate examinations. Even though candidates may have a specific difficulty with reading, writing or spelling, they may not require the provision of any special accommodations provided that they can read the examination papers at the required level and write legibly. In the case of the Leaving Certificate level all applications for reasonable accommodations on grounds of specific learning difficulties are referred to the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) for consideration. The Scheme of Reasonable Accommodations operated by the SEC is a demand-led scheme. It has not been subject to any budgetary cutbacks over the recent years and the SEC approves all applications which meet the conditions of eligibility Appeals against any aspect of the SEC's decision on RACE applications can be made to an Appeals Committee which is independent of the SEC. Neither I nor my Department have any role in reviewing decisions on RACE made by the SEC or the Independent Appeals Committee. Candidates who continue to be dissatisfied with the outcome are advised by the SEC that they can appeal further to the Ombudsman or the Ombudsman for Children.
