05/06/2026
We are very pleased that for the first time young people with dyslexia and other learning differences are receiving the accommodation of some extra time in Junior and Leaving Cert exams this year, after many years of our campaigning.
Listen to our Head of Education and Policy Donald Ewing on RTE Radio 1 Drivetime sharing how the introduction of extra time is only 10 minutes per exam this year, is wholly insufficient and does not match up to norms in other EU countries or at third level in Ireland. Dyslexic young people experience real disadvantages when facing exams, as their challenges with processing speed and reading and writing are exacerbated under time pressure.
Mother Fiona MacDermott, whose daughter is doing her Junior Cert at the moment, shared how 10 minutes is not enough extra time to make any real impact for dyslexic young people. '10 minutes seems arbitrary and I couldn’t see the evidence behind it.’ Thank you to Fiona for being a great advocate.
Donald Ewing, Head of Education and Policy at Dyslexia Ireland and Fiona McDermott, parent with daughter doing Junior Cert