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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 20 Mar 2002

Vol. 550 No. 4

Written Answers. - Irish Language Teaching.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

847 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Science the background to the certificate of exemption from Irish (M10/94); if secondary schools are made aware of both the existence of and effect of such exemption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9080/02]

The requirement in relation to Irish should be seen in the broader context of the requirements in relation to the curriculum to be followed in post-primary schools and to subjects to be studied as part of the junior certificate and leaving certificate courses. These are set out in rules and programme for secondary schools which aim to ensure adequate breadth and balance in the education that pupils receive.

The curriculum of a secondary school must include instruction in a syllabus approved by the Minister in a number of subjects, one of which is Irish. Irish is one of a number of subjects that must be included in the approved course for recognised junior cycle pupils. In the case of the established leaving certificate, the approved course for recognised senior cycle pupils must include not less than five subjects from a specified list, one of these must be Irish. The study of Irish is one of a number of requirements that apply in the case of the leaving certificate vocational programme and the leaving certificate applied.

School management authorities are authorised to grant an exemption from the study of Irish in accordance with procedures and criteria set out in circular M10/94. Information concerning these criteria and procedures is also given in rule 46 in rules and programme for secondary schools. The full text of the circular is included as an appendix in rules and programme for secondary schools, which is published by the Stationery Office and available from the Government Publication Sales Office.
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