Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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761. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills why a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7 has been refused an exemption from learning Irish; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46664/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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While the study of Irish is compulsory at both primary and post-primary there are a limited number of specific circumstances whereby an exemption from this requirement may be granted.

The granting of exemptions is governed by Departmental circulars, 12/96 for primary and M10/94 at post-primary. Under these circulars the authority to grant exemptions within the terms of the circulars has been delegated to school management.

If a school is uncertain as to whether a pupil's circumstances fall within the criteria of the relevant circular or where a school's decision to refuse an application for an exemption is queried, it is open to either the school or the parent/guardian to seek advice from my Department as to the application of the criteria for an exemption to a particular case. Officials from my Department will contact the Deputy with the details of how a request for advice in respect of the Irish exemption circulars may be processed.