Enda Kenny
Question:326 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has to abolish compulsory Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19470/99]
Written Answers. - School Curriculum.
The programme for Government acknowledges the right of every citizen to enrich his-her heritage through the education system and, in general, through learning the Irish language and preserving it as widely as possible.
Irish has been an obligatory subject on the national school curriculum since the foundation of the state. Today, Irish is an integral element of school curricula in Ireland, at both first and second levels, and all pupils are required to study the language unless granted an exemption on clearly specified grounds from doing so.
I have no plans to change the position of Irish in the education system.