Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

339. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if an exemption from studying Irish will be approved for siblings (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31159/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department issued two Circulars in August 2019 regarding exemptions from the study of Irish for both Primary and Post Primary schools. Circulars 052/2019 and 053/2019 refer.

Section 2.2 of both Circulars advise on the circumstances in which a pupil may be granted an exemption from the study of Irish.The decision to grant an exemption from the study of Irish is made by the principal , but it must be made following discussion with the pupil’s parent(s)/guardian(s), the class teacher, special education teachers where relevant, and the pupil.

Where the application for exemption from the study of Irish is refused, a parent/guardian can appeal the school’s decision to the Irish Exemptions Appeal Committee (IEAC) if they are dissatisfied with the schools decision.

The IEAC is bound by the terms of Section 2.4 of Circulars 052/2019 and 053/2019, which directs that the deliberations of the IEAC focus solely on the processes the school followed in reaching its decision and considers whether the school followed the process as prescribed by the Circulars. The IEAC do not have the remit to consider any other criteria in making their decision and are unable to overturn the original decision, but they can advise the school to review the process it originally followed in reaching its decision.

I wish to advise the Deputy that the parents of the student concerned appealed the decision not to grant an exemption for their children on 21st February 2020. Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, the appeal was not heard by the IEAC until 25th August 2020. Following on from the Appeal hearing, the IEAC requested some clarification on documentation that was submitted by the school in relation to the Irish Exemption refusal. This clarification was received in my Department on 12th October. The appeal will now be reconsidered at the next IEAC meeting.

Due to the sensitive and confidential nature of the documents examined at these appeal meetings, it is not feasible for the Department to hold an IEAC meeting online. The Department is monitoring the situation with regard to travel within the country and is hopeful that an IEAC meeting will take place in the not too distant future once the current restrictions are lifted.