Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht teacht os comhair an choiste. Is dócha go n-aontódh muid ar fad leis an méid a dúirt sí ag tús a píosa cainte ansin maidir leis an scoil i mBaile Átha Cliath. Táimid ar fad ag smaoineamh ar na daltaí, na tuismitheoirí, agus iad siúd atá ag obair ann freisin ar ndóigh.

I will start on the issue of exemptions in respect of the Irish language. I am sure the Minister will have seen the piece on tuairisc.ie last week which showed a 45% increase in exemptions from studying Irish for secondary school students last year. This is deeply concerning. Our education system has a massive role to play in relation to the strength of the Irish language. That we see that 50,000 secondary school students have an exemption from studying Irish is really concerning. It is over 12% of the secondary school population. Despite the decision in 2019 to ensure that the exemptions would become more rare, it is increasing year on year. This massive increase is particularly concerning. What are the Department and the Minister doing to try and change the trend and to come to terms with it?