Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 3 Nov 1992

Vol. 424 No. 8

Adjournment Debate. - Exemption from Study of Irish.

Mr. M. Kitt

I thank you, a Cheann Comhairle, for allowing me to raise this matter. I also thank the Minister of State for coming into the Chamber to reply. I am very concerned about several decisions that have been taken by the Department in which an exemption from the study of Irish has not been allowed for children who have had some of their primary education outside Ireland. I point out to the Minister of State that the current position is that all students are required to study Irish for recognition for grant and other purposes. However, a child whose entire primary education up to the age of 11 years was received outside Ireland may be allowed to substitute any other subject from the list of approved subjects for Irish in order to make up the required minimum number of subjects to be studied.

I have raised several issues with the Minister for Education in relation to children who have not been 11 years of age, although they have been almost 11 years, and have not been granted the exemption. I shall give two brief examples of what can occur. One child I know of was nine and a half years of age when her family returned to Ireland. Originally the Department of Education said that she was exempt from the study of Irish but she was later told that that was a mistake made by the Department. Ironically, her brother, who was 11 years, was told that he was exempted from the study of Irish. The anomoly reminds me greatly of the school transport regulations under which some children under ten years of age get free school transport while children over ten years of age do not. In this case, for two children of the same family one child was exempted from the study of Irish and the other child was not. Just as from time to time the school transport regulations and other regulations are reviewed, the Minister should examine the issue of whether 11 years will forever and a day be the age at which a cut-off point is made.

I can give another example of where a child returned to Ireland and the family language was Spanish. This child had to learn English as a first step, before going on to study Irish. At eight and a half years of age the child had to begin to learn English in junior infants in a national school. At 13 years of age that child is now studying Irish in a secondary school. I regret to say that what is happening is that families who can afford it arrange for private tuition because of the regulation. This is very expensive and some families cannot afford it. I would ask the Minister to review the regulation regarding the age limit of 11 years concerning children who have received some of their education outside the State. If a student cannot cope with Irish at junior certificate level, perhaps the Minister would consider having that student exempt from the study of Irish in the leaving certificate.

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food (Mr. Browne,

Wexford): I thank Deputy Kitt for raising this matter. I am glad the Deputy has given me the opportunity of outlining the Department of Education's position regarding this question.

Rule 46 of the Rules and Programme for Secondary Schools provides that a child whose primary education up to 11 years of age was received in Northern Ireland or outside Ireland may be allowed to substitute any other subject from the list of approved subjects for Irish so as to make up the minimum number of subjects necessary to constitute an approved course. Otherwise, all pupils in primary and post-primary schools are required to study Irish.

Although not formally stated in the rule, the practice has been to allow exemptions in certain other cases, mainly of physical and mental handicap. An exemption from Irish granted by the Department, although only intended for the period of a pupil's secondary education, seems to be accepted by the universities, the Garda Síochána, the Army, nursing and other professional bodies as a basis for exempting aspiring entrants from their own language requirements. However, Irish would for obvious reasons, be essential for teaching in primary and post-primary schools.

The present rule can be a hindrance to returned emigrants in that, if their children were at school before emigration, for however short a period, they must, on return, study Irish, no matter how old they are. This aspect of the matter is causing some concern and the general position is under consideration in the Department.

However, there are numerous instances of children of returned emigrants successfully taking up Irish at a comparatively advanced stage of their school career and acquitting themselves well in the leaving certificate. At foundation level, the junior certificate Irish course attempts to cater for pupils who have not previously studied Irish.

Apart from the special position of Irish as the national language, the acquisition of another language and the effort it entails are educationally desirable in that they help to develop understanding. Monoglots, in speaking, reading, writing and thinking easily glide over ideas and facts which a bilingual person has by necessity to really concentrate on and comprehend.

Nevertheless, on balance this particular problem warrants closer examination and I am glad to inform the Deputy that measures have already been initiated to alleviate this matter.

If the Deputy has a particular case in, mind the Minister would be only too glad to have it fully investigated.