Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the review of the criteria for receiving an Irish exemption in schools will be concluded; if he envisages this review extending the criteria to include special needs such as autistic spectrum disorder and asperger's syndrome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52483/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It has recently been announced that my Department will examine the question of exemptions from Irish. Work has previously been done in relation to the exemptions circular as indicated in replies to earlier questions from the Deputy in September 2011 and January 2012. However, the issues involved are complex and it is clear that we need to gather more detailed evidence on the manner in which exemptions are sought and granted with a view to comprehensively informing further policy actions in this area.