Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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208. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the policy at primary level and at secondary level education concerning the granting of an exemption from learning Irish to children with autism spectrum disorder; her views on a situation where an application was not sought at primary level and is now being sought at secondary level for a child; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26809/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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Children on the autistic spectrum range from children who are high functioning and who have exceptionally good facility with language to those who are low functioning and may be non-verbal. Those who are at the higher functioning levels would be expected to be taught the full curriculum, including Irish, while those at lower functioning levels may be exempted from learning Irish where their circumstances meet the criteria for the granting of an exemption.

The criteria for the granting of exemptions from the study of Irish at primary (circular 12/96) or post-primary (M10/94) are similar. The authority to grant exemptions has been delegated to school management. The parents in this case should apply to their child's post-primary school. Delay on the part of parents in applying for an exemption on behalf of their child should not by itself cause the application to fail where otherwise the child's circumstances fully meet the criteria for an exemption.

The Department is currently finalising a review of its exemptions policy at primary and post-primary levels.