Minister for education Hildegarde Naughton confirmed an extra 10 minutes per written paper will be granted for eligible students in this year's Leaving Certificate and Junior Cycle exams. It comes as the State Examinations Commission (SEC), which is responsible for the delivery of the State examinations, continues to review its Reasonable Accommodations at the Certificate Examinations (Race) scheme. Under an interim measure for 2026, 10 minutes per written exam paper will be granted for certain candidates already eligible for Race accommodations. The extra time will be extended to students already eligible for reasonable accommodations in the written examinations featuring a direct intervention. However, there are some exceptions, including students granted accommodations arranged by the school such as rest breaks or those whose only need is for a special examination centre.

Source: Irish Examiner January 27, 2026 22:52 UTC