Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 December 2009
387 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Science if a person (details supplied) in County Cork must participate in Irish classes in second level education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46747/09]
View answerAs part of both the primary and second level school curriculum Irish is a compulsory subject. The second-level programme in Irish has the capacity to cater for a wide diversity of ability. The programme currently includes a Foundation level Irish syllabus, which is specifically designed for those pupils who are experiencing difficulty with the subject. Under certain circumstances, school management in State funded recognised schools may grant an individual an exemption from the study of Irish. The criteria used by school management in their determination of an individual application for an exemption at a second level school are set out in Department Circular M10/94. The same criteria apply at primary level schools and are set out in Departmental Circular 12/96. Exemptions granted within the stated criteria to a student in a State funded primary school will be carried forward to their second level school.
With regard to the particular case referred to by the Deputy, the position is that if the school concerned determined that the student in question did not satisfy the requirements of the circular, the advice of the Inspectorate of my Department may be sought on this case, by forwarding to Schools' Division, Cornamaddy, Athlone, Co. Westmeath all of the evidence submitted by the student's parents and all supporting documentation from the current school.
