asked the Minister for Education if the new technical leaving certificate requires the taking of Irish as a compulsory subject, but does not require the taking of English; and, if so, the reasons for this decision.
Written Answers. - Compulsory Irish.
326.
The Rules and Programme for Secondary Schools provide that the approved course for recognised senior pupils must include not less than five specified subjects of which one shall be Irish. To ensure that students taking the new leaving certificate vocational programme would have the status of recognised senior pupils it was essential to comply with the above regulation.
English is not a compulsory subject neither in the leaving certificate generally nor in the leaving certificate vocational programme: in practice however, all students following the new programme are taking English. A copy of the relevant circular letter will be sent to the Deputy for his information.