Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 January 2019
330. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to introduce a circular allowing for students who have been granted an exemption from Irish language studies on grounds of dyslexia to be granted an exemption from studying a third language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54506/18]
View answerThe position is that exemptions from the study of Irish are currently granted in accordance with the provisions of Departmental Circular 12/96 for primary schools and Circular M10/94 for post-primary schools. The Department is reviewing these circulars and a public consultation is underway on proposed changes with a view to bringing the existing circulars up to date with current policy and in line with new language curricula.
The choice of subjects for post-primary students, including a third language, is a matter for the student and his or her parents in consultation with the school principal in the context of the students overall education needs and in accordance with the policies and procedures obtaining in the school. The Department has no plans therefore to introduce exemptions from the study of third languages.
Note that individual higher education institutions set particular entry requirements for their courses, this may include a foreign and/or Irish language requirement.
A student can apply for a waiver from the assessment of aspects of spelling, grammar and punctuation in language subjects through the State Examinations Commission’s Reasonable Accommodations at the Certificate Examinations process.
A student can also apply for an exemption from Irish and/or a Third Language if applying for entry to the National University of Ireland.
