Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 May 2022
284. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education the reason section 2.4 of Circulars 52 and 53 of 2019 refer to an Appeal of an Irish exemption refusal when it is only a review of the procedures followed by schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22213/22]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that the exceptional criteria for granting an exemption from the study of Irish are set out in section 2.2. of both circular 0052/2019 (primary) and circular 0053/2019 (post primary). There are no other circumstances in which a school can consider granting an exemption from the study of Irish. For reasons of equity, there is no alternative process for considering the granting of exemptions based on other criteria or individual circumstances.
In line with other department policies in the area of special educational needs, the 2019 circulars move away from a diagnostic categorical model to a needs-based model. The circulars require the school to demonstrate evidence of intervention and differentiated support for those children/students who struggle with literacy, as well as the current level of in-school testing on discrete tests of word reading, reading comprehension or spelling. This includes using evidence of needs over time. As part of this process the school will administer discrete tests to identify the needs of the student. It is these test results which inform intervention and need for any additional support, including an exemption from the study of Irish.
Where a pupil does not meet the criteria for granting an exemption from the study of Irish, then the school is required to provide a differentiated approach to language learning in accordance with the curriculum, to enable the pupil to engage with their learning in an inclusive school environment and at a level appropriate to their individual needs and ability.
As set out in Section 8 of circular 0052/2019 and Section 7 of circular 0053/2019, the Department is currently carrying out an initial review of the operation of the circulars.
