Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

With regard to the increase in the number of students applying for or receiving exemptions, we have an increase in the number of students who are coming from abroad and a significant increase in the number of students who are presenting with a special educational need. Therefore, in acknowledgement of that, we will see an element of increase in the exemptions. We have also introduced a system through which all of these students, especially young people with special educational needs, work over a two-year period. Verifiable evidence will be part of their education profile. Systematic interventions will be made especially with regard to special education teachers, additional resources and working with, supporting and encouraging these students.

However, there comes a point when a judgment will be made. It is important that the judgment be made within the school and that we have moved away from the diagnostic element because the teachers, principals and SNAs are the ones dealing with this every day. I cannot see how exemptions could not increase if we have an increase in the number of students who are presenting with special educational needs and students coming from abroad. In the first instance, the exemption was for students coming from abroad, of whom even more have been coming from a variety of countries in the past number of years. A significant number of students have also come from Ukraine in the past number of months. Obviously one will impact the other, notwithstanding the work schools will do to ensure that students are supported through the Irish language.