Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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465. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her role or that of school inspectors with regard to the procurement of a certificate of exemption from studying Irish; if such certificates can be procured retrospectively in circumstances in which the de facto situation for a number of years has been that the student involved has been informally exempt from studying Irish in their primary school and in cases in which this has in fact been documented in annual school reports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46513/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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As set out in Department Circulars 0052/2019 (primary) and 0053/2019 (post primary), an application for an exemption from the study of Irish must be made to school management. School management are required to consider applications in accordance with the procedures and processes set out in the Circulars. Additional guidance is provided to accompany the circulars together with guidance on test selection and Frequently Asked Questions: www.gov.ie/en/service/irish-exemption/.

The only exceptional circumstances in which a school can grant a Certificate of Exemption are those set out in Section 2.2 of the circulars.

If school management are satisfied that a pupil/ student meets the criteria for granting an exemption from the study of Irish then they are required under the circulars (and under previous circulars) to issue a Certificate of Exemption, signed by the Principal, to the parent/ guardian and to retain a copy of the Certificate on file.

The authority to grant exemptions from the study of Irish has been devolved to school management and the process of considering applications does not involve Department Officials.

All applications for Certificates of Exemption since the start of the 2019/20 academic year, must be made under the terms of Circular 0052/2019 (primary) and Circular 0053/2019 (post primary).

As provided for in the Circulars, where the application for an exemption is refused, a parent/ guardian can appeal the school’s decision to the Irish Exemptions Appeal Committee (IEAC). The deliberations of the IEAC will focus solely on the process the school engaged in reaching its decision. The IEAC will consider how the school followed the process as prescribed in this Circular and the accompanying Guidelines for Primary Schools. The IEAC comprises a Principal, an Inspector and an Educational Psychologist from the NEPS service.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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466. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will clarify the process for securing a certificate of exemption from studying Irish at primary school level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46514/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Detailed information, guidance and Frequently Asked Questions on exemptions from the study of Irish are available on the website gov.ie/en/service/irish-exemption/.

The procedures are set out in Section 2.3 of the relevant circular: 0052/2019 primary and 0053/2019 post primary as follows:

A parent/guardian must make an application in writing to the principal of the school for a Certificate of Exemption from the study of Irish on behalf of a pupil.

Considering an application for exemption:

The principal will:

Ensure that the date of receipt of the application by the school is recorded on the form.

Acknowledge receipt of the application for exemption from the study of Irish in writing.

Discuss the written application with the parent(s)/guardian(s) and confirm the sub-paragraph on which the application is based (2.2a, 2.2b, 2.2c or 2.2d) as soon as practicable following receipt of a written application

Advise the parent(s)/guardian(s) of the next steps in processing the application.

Inform the parent(s)/guardian(s)/pupil regarding any implication of an exemption from the study of Irish for the student while in post-primary education and into the future.

Inform the parent(s)/guardian(s) that the application will be processed and the outcome confirmed in writing within 21 school days of receipt of the application.

Explain to the parent(s)/guardian(s) that a signed Certificate of Exemption will issue where a decision is reached that an exemption from the study of Irish may be granted.

Inform the parent(s)/guardian(s) that, where an application is refused, the school’s decision may be appealed to the Irish Exemptions Appeal Committee within 30 calendar days from the date the decision of the school was notified to the parent(s)/guardian(s).

Explain to the parent(s)/guardian(s) the arrangements for the pupil’s learning in the case of an exemption being granted.

Recording the decision

The outcome of the application process will be conveyed by the school principal in writing to the parent(s)/guardian(s).

Where an exemption is granted, a Certificate of Exemption, signed and dated by the school principal will be issued. The Certificate of Exemption will also state the name and address of the school, the school roll number, the pupil’s name, date of birth and the sub-paragraph under which the exemption is being granted.

Parents/guardians and pupils should be informed of the option not to exercise the exemption granted, without any loss of the right to exercise it at a future time.