Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
697. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education the percentage of exemption from Irish studies applications approved by second-level schools in 2022, that were subsequently reversed or overturned by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38659/23]
View answer698. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education the percentage of appeals to her Department for exemption from Irish studies that were not accepted by second-level schools, that were successful in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38660/23]
View answer699. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education what methodology her Department employs to gather data on the approvals and rejections of applications for exemption from Irish studies in post-primary education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38661/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 697, 698 and 699 together.
In certain exceptional circumstances, a post-primary student may be granted an exemption from studying Irish. School management holds the authority to grant an exemption.
Exemption eligibility is outlined in Circular 0055/2022 (Post Primary)
Under the terms of this circular, where an application for exemption from the study of Irish is refused, an applicant can appeal the school’s decision to the Irish Exemptions Appeals Committee (IEAC). The IEAC will comprise three persons who shall be selected from a panel of persons established and maintained by the Minister for Education.
The IEAC will make a decision on whether the exemption should be granted or not, inform the school of the decision and require the school to give effect to their decision. In making a decision the IEAC will consider the decision of the school and the grounds given for refusing the application, the criteria set out in the Circular and any supporting documentation that was available to the school, contained in the Student Support Plan(s) and any supplementary information provided to the school by the applicant.
Of the appeals held to date, under the terms of Circular 0055/2022, the IEAC has, in each case, upheld the decision of the school not to grant an exemption. Therefore 0% of the appeals were successful.
The IEAC does not, and has not, considered the reversal or overturning of exemptions granted by schools.
As set out in the Circular, schools must record details of the exemptions granted on the Post-Primary Online Database (PPOD). The Department does not ask schools to provide data on the number of applications for exemptions from the study of Irish that are received or refused.
