Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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68. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on reviewing the requirements for compulsory subjects as part of the Leaving Certificate examination; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26523/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I can inform the Deputy that in accordance with the Rules and Programmes for Secondary Schools, the approved course for recognised senior pupils must include not less than five subjects, of which one shall be Irish. This applies to all students except for those holding an exemption from the study of Irish.

There is no requirement to sit or pass an Irish examination in order to achieve a Leaving Certificate and there are no plans to require students to pass Irish in order to achieve a Leaving Certificate. However, entry requirements for third level programmes are set down by individual higher education institutions. Irish remains an entry requirement for National University of Ireland matriculation and entry for courses of study such as primary teacher education.

As with any Leaving Certificate examination, a candidate may decide not to sit the examination for that subject on the day and the reasons for this will vary according to the candidate’s own particular circumstances.