Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

3. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her position in relation to the exemptions system for the Irish language as it stands; her views on whether it is fit for purpose; her plans to combat the increasing number of students seeking exemptions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59852/25]

Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Is mian liom labhairt faoi cheist na ndíolúintí Gaeilge inniu. There has been an unprecedented spike in the number of exemptions from Irish granted in recent years, with one in seven young people in the State exempted from learning our national language. What is the Minister's position on the exemptions system for the Irish language as it stands? Does she believe it is fit for purpose and what are her plans to combat the increasing number of students seeking exemptions?

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Tá gealltanas i gclár an Rialtais an Ghaeilge a chosaint agus a chur chun cinn. In education this includes the work towards aligning Irish language curriculums with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, CEFR, to enhance spoken Irish. This work is being led by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment.

In certain circumstances, a primary or post-primary student may be granted an exemption from studying Irish. The criteria are governed by Department circulars and decisions are made at school level. The circulars make clear that, for fundamental cultural and historical reasons that are inextricably linked to Irish identity, the study of the Irish language is a key aspect of the learning experiences that are considered appropriate for students in recognised schools. Is ar an chúis seo go bhfuil an Ghaeilge ina croí-ábhar sa churaclam do scoileanna aitheanta.

Students should be given every reasonable opportunity to participate in the learning of Irish for as long as possible. Normally, it is in the interests of the child to continue to study Irish to at least fifth or sixth class level before any decision is made to grant an exemption. That is reflected in the overall number of exemptions at primary school level, which has dropped over recent years.

Circulars were published in September 2019. This was informed by an inspectorate review of the previous circulars and following a detailed and comprehensive consultation process. The inspectorate report is also available online. The 2019 circulars were further adjusted following a further review, resulting in the current circulars. My Department will continue to review the system and make adjustments as deemed necessary. We have also engaged with schools on the issue of exemptions and plans to enhance understanding among schools, students and parents of the purposes and criteria of the exemption system.

Aithníonn an Rialtas an tábhacht a bhaineann le córas oideachais láidir chun tacú le gach scoláire rochtain a bheidh acu ar an nGaeilge agus ar an gcultúr Gaelach agus go bhfuil ról suntasach ag an oideachas in athbheochan agus cothabháil na Gaeilge sa phobal. Leanfaidh oifigigh agus gníomhaireachtaí na Roinne le hathbhreithniú agus athchóiriú foghlaim agus teagasc na Gaeilge chun na críche sin.

Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It is great to hear the Minister talk of revision but currently the system for these exemptions is not working. We must not forget they are meant to be exemptions for students with severe or complex learning difficulties who simply cannot learn a language. The figures tell us Gaeilge is essentially optional. The numbers have risen sharply, with more than 73,000 exemptions, and it is hard to see any urgency from the Department to get a handle on it. When the Minister's officials were os comhair an choiste Gaeilge the other week, they could not admit there was a problem. Tá sé sin dochreidte. The rise in exemptions does not show inclusion; it shows neglect.

The same lack of respect for Gaeilge can be seen elsewhere. For example, the other week, 30 minutes of Gaeilge was removed from the primary school curriculum. The message that sends is that the language can be chipped away at bit by bit. Many exempted students, whether they have additional needs or have recently arrived in Ireland, can learn if we can adapt the curriculum to provide proper supports.

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In relation to the curriculum, a number of subjects saw a slight reduction in the time allocated to them but there is more flexibility within the time schedules, so schools can increase the number of hours provided for Irish or the time spent on Irish.

The overall figure for exemptions at primary school level is extremely low. It fell from over 18,000 maybe five years ago to just over 12,000 in the 2024-25 school year. The proportion of primary students with an exemption in the same period dropped from about 3.25% to 2.2%. Of exemptions at primary level, 93% are granted to students with special education needs.

I accept the number of exemptions at post primary level has increased, but we are seeing that exemptions have steadied. Even though the number of students attending post primary has increased by 4.7%, we have not seen a relative increase in the number of exemptions. It is about half and half, so it is evenly distributed between the number of students with special education needs getting exemptions and the number coming from abroad. That is generally the breakdown we are seeing.

Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It is nearly 60,000 in secondary school. What the Minister mentioned about primary school is great but the reality in schools does not match the picture she is painting.

We need real leadership from the Minister. We need it from the top down. We cannot leave the decision up to principals on their own any more. The rate of exemptions depends entirely on where a child goes to school. In some places, they are granted almost automatically and in others hardly at all. There are simple practical fixes to this. The coiste Gaeilge in its last term produced a report with many recommendations. We can bring back foundation level at junior cycle, allow an oral-only option for students who struggle with reading and writing, give teachers time and resources to differentiate properly in class and address the reality that additional learning support classes are being timetabled at the same time as Gaeilge, which is another example of Gaeilge being less than. If the Department truly values Irish and inclusion, then I would love the opportunity, as would many Teachtaí here, to work with the Minister and Department on this.

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I assure the Deputy there is no inertia or lack of will to support young people studying the language. I was in a school yesterday and was asked this question by a student. I want students to enjoy studying the language and, most importantly, speaking it.

On the figures, it is important to say that in the 2024-25 school year, there were over 19,000 exemptions. That is higher than we would like. At the same time, given the number of Ukrainian students who have come into the system, about half of those are students who have come from abroad.

Not every Ukrainian student or anybody else coming from abroad is getting an exemption, but it is a far higher number and there are also a significant number of young people with special educational needs.

That being said, there is more we need to do. Later this week, I will publish two new strategies, one for Irish in English-medium schools and another for Irish being taught in the Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí. They will be launched on Thursday of this week. The focus and the priority there is how to make sure that the language is enjoyable, that it is being taught well in the schools and that there is support for the schools. That is to build on the work that is already happening.

Work is at an advantaged stage, as I said, on the new strategy. There is an action plan for Irish in English-medium schools as well as Irish in the Gaelscoileanna and coláistí. This is supporting the work through An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta, COGG, which has established a unit specifically within my Department to see how we support schools, support teachers, make sure they have the resources and make sure that Irish is being taught in a way that young people are enjoying it. That is clearly the message that I am getting through and it is something that I really want to see that we can make progress on.