Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

May I make one comment about special education and the view the Deputy believes the Department has toward children with additional needs or learning difficulties who avail of the exemption? It is quite staggering to think that 25% of our students present with some learning or additional need and yet only 7% of them are availing of an exemption. It is very clear in the circulars to the schools that we 100% ask and encourage schools to ensure that even if a young person may not be taking Irish as a particular subject, they would continue to be immersed and supported in appreciation of the language, culture and all of that.

In terms of the figures for the leaving certificate the Deputy referred to, in 2023-2024 leaving certificate, 61,000 students sat the exam. A total of 13,697 students did not sit the Irish exam, of which 4,355 did not hold an exemption. There are a variety of reasons as to why people did not turn up for the exam. A total of 4,817 students did not sit the maths exam, while 4,867 did not sit the English exam. That is always going to be part of the reality. To look at the figure in the round does not mean to say that it was all due to exemption. It is quite a reflection when more than 4,800 did not sit either the maths or English exams.