Special Educational Needs
Dail Éireann — 2026-02-12
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Hildegarde Naughton (FG), Galway West

There is an interim review under way. This is evidence based. This is the work of the State Examinations Commission, which is independent. There is a large amount of consultation, research and evidence as part of this decision. This is a rolling programme and it is considering international best practice in relation to this. The review of the RACE scheme is comprehensive and system-wide. It seeks to address the relevant issues that take account of best practice internationally. That is the work of the State Examinations Commission.
As part of its work, the SEC has commissioned research into national and international policies. Following a public procurement process, a contract for the provision of research and public consultation for this review has been awarded to Alpha Plus Consultancy Limited. This is a UK-based company, which has undertaken work for the Irish education system previously. Output is expected on that this year. Consultation with stakeholders is also extremely important. The SEC has already engaged with stakeholders, including with Dyslexia Ireland, Dyspraxia/DCD Ireland, the Children's Rights Alliance, and the Office of the Ombudsman for Children. This engagement will continue as the review is under way. A roundtable stakeholder discussion is also planned for later this month.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-02-12/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-14T01:01:02+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-02-12