Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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404. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the implications for a pupil who is granted an exemption from Irish in primary school, including what they should be doing during Irish class. [15291/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I can advise the Deputy that as set out in the circulars on exemptions from the study of Irish (0054/2022 – Primary and 0055/2022 – Post primary) , “the decision to exempt a pupil from the study of Irish has very significant implications for his/her future learning and potential employment opportunities. Pupils should therefore be given every reasonable opportunity to participate in the learning of Irish for as long as possible in keeping with the integrated approach to language learning in the Primary Language Curriculum and also acknowledging that pupils at a young age adapt and improve over time. Normally, it is in the interests of the child to continue to study Irish at least to fifth or sixth class level before any decision is made to grant an exemption, so that he/she will have maximum opportunity to participate in the learning of Irish.”

The Frequently Asked Questions for Parents and for Schools that accompany the circulars on exemptions from the study of Irish include a question about the implications of not studying Irish with the following answer: “A certain standard of Irish is a requirement for entry to some third level courses and programmes of study. These rules are set by the third level institutions and may be subject to change. It is therefore important that students/parents are aware of such requirements. Information on third level entry requirements can be accessed on relevant college/university websites. Typically, at post-primary level, guidance teachers have access to this information.

CAO applicants are advised to check the CAO website for up to date information about language exemptions. See: www.cao.ie

Portals such as Careersportal (www.careersportal.ie) provide information on Leaving Cert Subjects. As all information is subject to change candidates are advised to check directly with any HEI, PLC or other training provider about the entry requirements of a course they wish to apply for.

All Primary teacher initial education programmes in state funded Higher Education Institutions have a requirement for a minimum standard of Irish, English and Mathematics. In addition Irish is a requirement for registration as a Primary teacher in Ireland. Further information is available at www.teachingcouncil.ie

The Official Languages (Amendment) Bill 2021 contains a requirement that 20% of new recruits to the public service be competent in the Irish language by 2030. This suggests that students who study Irish may have greater employment options in the Public Service sector.

Schools, parents/guardians and students should also note that some other employments, depending on their nature and/or location, may from time to time identify proficiency in Irish and/or a formal qualification in Irish as requirement for or an advantage in respect of appointment.

Parent’s and guardians are advised to bring any concerns to the school principal and ask how the school can best serve their child’s learning needs and help her make use of her time in school more efficiently in order to facilitate her access to appropriate education in the context of her interests, abilities and career potential”.

In respect of what students should be doing during Irish class, I can advise the Deputy that as set out in Section 3 of the circulars and in the accompanying guidelines for primary and post primary schools, “to support inclusive practices and in keeping with the principles underpinning language learning in primary schools, a pupil who is exempt from the study of Irish should be included in a meaningful way in aspects of Irish language and cultural activities in line with his/her ability and interests”.

The circular also states that schools, “where appropriate, should take account of the literacy learning needs of pupils who are exempt from the study of Irish when deploying available special education teaching resources”.

For pupils with significant educational needs, such as those which would meet the criteria for an exemption from the study of Irish, the school will be providing support in accordance with Guidelines for supporting pupils with Special Educational Needs in Mainstream Schools (www.gov.ie/en/publication/56c43-supporting-pupils-and-students-with-special-educational-needs-guidelines-for-schools/) and with Special Educational Needs: A continuum of Support. (www.gov.ie/en/collection/dca316-special-education-needs-a-continuum-of-support/). Schools undertake assessment and identification of need as part of their problem solving approach and development of Student Support Plans. It is the results of this approach which informs intervention and provision of any additional support. The granting of an Irish exemption emerges from this process. Therefore, the school will have evidence on an individual’s Student Support file to allow them to plan for the deployment of appropriate supports to the pupil which may occur during the time that their classmates are studying Irish as appropriate.

Section 4 of the circulars state that “A pupil who has no understanding of English when enrolled should be provided with intensive English as an Additional Language (EAL) in preparation for his/her full engagement with the curriculum at a level commensurate with his/her ability”.

It should be noted that the circulars also provide students with the option not to exercise the exemption granted, without any loss of the right to exercise it at a future time.

Teacher allocations to all schools are approved annually by the department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. The deployment of teaching staff in the school, the range of subjects offered and ultimately the quality of teaching and learning are in the first instance a matter for the school management authorities. It may not always be practical for a school to offer an alternative course of study at post primary level in the case of students who hold an exemption from the study of Irish.

Full details on exemptions from the study of Irish including circulars, application forms, guidelines, Frequently Asked Questions, Reports and Statistics are available on the website here: