Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 Mar 2001

Vol. 533 No. 3

Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.

Pat Carey

Question:

350 Mr. P. Carey asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will exempt a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 from studying Irish on the grounds that he is dyslexic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9024/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

Exemption from the study of Irish may be granted to primary pupils under certain circumstances outlined in Department Circular 12/96. Copies of this circular are available on request from primary administration section 1, Department of Education and Science, Athlone, County Westmeath.

Under the terms of circular 12/96, delegated authority to grant exemptions from learning Irish, within the conditions laid down in the circular, has been vested in the individual school authority. In the case referred to by the Deputy, if the school authority is refusing to grant an exemption that is warranted under the terms of the circular, the matter can be brought to the attention of the primary administration section. The matter should in the first instance be raised with the school in question. However, the circular specifically provides for the granting of an exemption from the studying of Irish for pupils who have a specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia, of such a degree of severity that they fail to achieve expected levels of attainment in basic language skills in the mother tongue.