Mr. Paul Byrne:

It depends on the parents and the reasons they are looking for the díolúintí.

Some of them are clear-cut and others would be under section 2.2.3 of the new circular, where you have to look at continuing difficulties with learning for the student. That information has to be collected by the principal and it needs to be assessed. You are talking about having a meeting with the special educational needs co-ordinator and some of the teachers. You will be having a meeting with the career guidance counsellor as well. Putting all of that information together, you need to ask if it is a justifiable application and if it is in the best interests of the pupil to grant the cead amach as an nGaeilge. Time is scarce in schools. There would probably be a number of meeting with the parents, you will meet the student and you will meet the teachers. I am not sure if you could say how much time it takes it but if there are a number of those meetings that have to be done it takes up a considerable amount of time.