Dara Calleary
Question:986. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education the reason two students (details supplied) are unable to receive an exemption in Irish. [18955/21]
View answerWednesday, 21 April 2021
Questions (986)
Written answers
As the deputy is aware, all children educated in Ireland including those who are home-schooled, are expected to have the opportunity to study Irish to an appropriate standard.
An exemption from the study of Irish may be granted by school management in the exceptional circumstances outlined in section 2.2 of circular 0052/2019 (Primary) and 0053/2019 (Post Primary). The Department of Education website has guidelines and FAQs on exemptions from the study of Irish which provide further assistance to schools and parents on the matter of exemptions from the study of Irish. These can be accessed here: https://www.education.ie/en/Parents/Information/Irish-Exemption/
The only circumstances in which an exemption from the study of Irish can be granted are those set out in section 2.2 of the relevant circular. There are no other circumstances under which an exemption can be considered or granted. If a child does not meet the criteria set out in the circular then an exemption from the study of Irish cannot be granted.
Sections 2.2a of the Circulars sets out that a child who is educated abroad should be at least 12 years of age or have completed the final year in primary education at the time of their first enrolment in a recognised school in Ireland in order for an application for an exemption from the study of Irish to be considered. Section 2.2b which related to children who leave school in Ireland to study abroad requires the child to be at least 12 years only on re-enrolment in a school in Ireland and have been abroad for 3 or more years in order for an application for an exemption from the study of Irish to be considered. In both cases the school would require suitable documentary evidence to support an application.
If the parent/guardian or student over 18 years of age is not satisfied that the school principal has followed the correct procedures in making a decision to refuse to grant an exemption from the study of Irish, then the parent/guardian or student over 18 years of age can complete an Irish Exemption Appeal Form setting out the specific reason(s) why the decision is being appealed and the circumstances in which it is considered that the process has not been correctly applied. The completed Irish Exemption Appeal Form should be submitted within 30 calendar days from the date the decision of the school not to grant an exemption was notified in writing to the parent(s)/guardian(s)/student.
Officials in my department have enquired into the case above and note that the principal of the school determined that the boys’ circumstances did not meet the criteria set out in the circular and that no appeal was received by the department in relation to the decision.
As is the case for a pupil/student who encounters difficulty with the study of Irish and who does not have an exemption from the study of Irish, schools are required to address a wide diversity of needs by providing a differentiated learning experience for pupils/students in an inclusive school environment.
The Primary Language Curriculum is for children of all abilities in all school contexts. This is informed by the principles of inclusion and the benefits of bilingualism for all students that underpin the Primary Languages Curriculum. It recognises and supports pupils’ engagement with Irish and English at different stages and rates along their language-learning journey. It builds on the language knowledge and experience that pupils bring to the school. The Progression Continua in the Primary Language Curriculum provide a framework for teachers to identify the pupil’s stage of language development and to plan interventions that support the development of language skills and competences in Irish and in English in an integrated manner, emphasising the transferability of language skills across languages. All pupils are encouraged to study the language and achieve a level of personal proficiency that is appropriate to their needs and ability. Similarly at post-primary level the policy is informed by the principles of inclusion and the benefits of bilingualism for all students that underpin the Framework for Junior Cycle (2015) and curricular provision in senior cycle. Students should be encouraged to study the language and achieve a level of personal proficiency that is appropriate to their ability.