Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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I am satisfied that the new criteria for Irish exemptions as set out in Circulars 0052/2019 (primary) and 0053/2019 (post-primary) do not in any way downgrade Irish as a taught subject in schools.

The new Circulars are underpinned by a review of the policy and practice in relation to exemptions which was carried out by my Department’s Inspectorate in the context of Irish and English being core subjects and in light of the educational policy and social developments that have taken place since the previous circulars were issued.    

A public consultation process was held on the draft circulars and an unprecedented response was received (11,000+ responses).  The responses were very carefully considered and the report of the consultation process, which is available on my Department’s website, indicates broad support for the changes proposed.  The final circulars, which I approved, are being implemented in recognised schools since September 2019 and will be subject to review following two years of implementation. 

Far from the downgrading of Irish, I believe the Circulars support the study of Irish.  An exemption may now be granted only in exceptional circumstances as defined in terms of very clear criteria.  There is no provision for an exemption to be granted other than in these circumstances thus supporting consistency and a non-discretionary approach.  The circulars apply only to English-medium settings thus supporting the Irish language ethos of Irish-medium settings.  

Furthermore the circulars are underpinned by the principle of inclusion, recognising a wide diversity of needs which are provided for in the new Primary Language Curriculum/Curaclam Teanga na Bunscoile and in the Junior Cycle specifications for Irish supporting a differentiated learning experience for pupils and students in an inclusive school environment.  The circulars also restate the importance of language learning and bilingualism and emphasise the curricular frameworks which help teachers to identify a pupil’s stage of language development and plan interventions that support the development of language skills and competences.

Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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34. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to introduce history as a core subject on the junior cycle. [42526/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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In November of last year I asked the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) to carry out a review of the optional nature of history under the new Framework for Junior Cycle. I also asked the NCCA to identify how we can best promote the study of history in our schools. I received the NCCA's advisory report in July of this year and I am deeply grateful to the council for the work it has done.

I gave careful consideration to the NCCA report, which makes it clear that the new history specification under the Framework for Junior Cycle provides for a better way to teach and learn history than in the past. While I am aware that the subject is due be reviewed in two years' time, I am keen, however, to do something now to ensure that there is no reduction in the number of students studying history. This is why I recently announced that the subject of History is to be accorded special core status in the Junior Cycle curriculum.

I will be requesting the support of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment in working out how best this can be achieved. I am keen that arrangements providing for the special core status of the subject be in place for the start of the next school year, to apply to students starting their Junior Cycle at that time.