Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am happy to look at anything. I hear that proposal. The exemptions were introduced in the first place primarily for children who were coming from abroad. They were then extended to cater for children with additional needs. Twenty-five percent of children in our schools present with a learning or additional need. In the entirety of the 1 million students we have, just over 6.7-6.9% of them are drawing down an exemption. It should be borne in mind that we have had an enormous increase in the diagnosis of children with additional needs as well as a considerable influx in young people coming from other countries, such as 18,000 Ukrainian students. I am giving that as a context.

I appreciate the great work done with Gaelbhratach. The Department supports the programme and has given significant financial resources to it. I am happy to look at any opportunities going forward. That said, we are already doing quite a deal of work in that area with Gaelbhratach, but if we can widen the scope I am open to looking at it.