This year, Leaving Certificate students with special needs can apply for an additional 20 minutes in each exam session in Irish, English, history (including economic history) and geography. This arrangement is being put in place on a pilot basis.

There is a further new provision allowing students with particular needs to be exempted from elements of the standard assessment. For instance, a candidate with severe hearing impairment may apply for exemption from the aural examination.

Michael Woods, the Minister for Education and Science, said it is his intention "to ensure that the application process is simplified and expedited with a view to providing a better service to students with special needs while reducing the burden of work for schools that arises from making and supporting applications".

He recently advised school authorities that it is no longer necessary for them to apply to the Department in respect of a number of special identified arrangements for candidates. These can now be approved by the school authorities.