Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 79: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has issued any circular or directive to post-primary schools stating that students who enjoy an exemption from the study of Irish should be offered an alternative academic subject for study during scheduled Irish classes rather than the current norm in which exempted students are often required to attend Irish classes despite not studying the subject; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21002/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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My Department specifies the requirements regarding school curriculum and courses of instruction in recognised post-primary schools by way of the Rules and Programme for Secondary Schools and a number of departmental circulars. The Rules also apply in the case of post-primary schools in the VEC and Community & Comprehensive sectors. Under Rule 46 of the Rules and Programme a student who is exempted from the study of Irish in accordance with departmental circular M10/94 may be allowed to substitute for Irish any other subject from the list of approved subjects to meet the curriculum requirements of the Junior or Leaving Certificate programmes. The choice of subjects, including those for students with an exemption from the study of Irish, is a matter for the student and his or her parents in consultation with the school Principal. Timetabling is a matter for the school.