Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 January 2013
342. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an exemption from the requirement to take Irish in the junior certificate in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford [4395/13]
View answerIn primary and post-primary schools recognised by my Department the study of Irish is compulsory however, there are certain limited circumstances whereby an exemption from the study of Irish may be granted. In this regard my Department's Circular M10/94 for pupils attending post-primary schools outlines the circumstances whereby an exemption from the study of Irish may be granted. Under the terms of this Circular delegated authority to grant exemptions, within the conditions laid down, is vested in the school management authorities of recognised post-primary schools. Where a school has a query on how the Circular should be applied in respect of any particular application they may seek the advice of my Department's Inspectorate.
With regard to the particular case referred to by the Deputy, the position is that the school wrote to my Department in December 2012 seeking advice on how Circular M10/94 should be applied in this instance. The matter is currently with a nominated Inspector within my Department's Inspectorate for advice and a reply will issue shortly.
