In the current school year, 2004-05, a total of 6,588 pupils attending second level schools were granted an exemption by the school authorities from the study of Irish. The corresponding figures for the school years 1994-95 and 1999-2000 were 1,719 and 3,826, respectively.
My Department has issued guidelines on the granting of exemptions from the study of Irish to primary and post-primary schools. My Department's guidelines on an exemption from Irish at post-primary level are outlined at rule 46 of the Rules and Programmes for Secondary Schools and circular letter M10/94. Under the terms of this circular, my Department has delegated authority to the principals of second level schools to grant the exemptions provided that the pupil meets the criteria as set down. Exemptions may be granted by school authorities for pupils whose primary education up to 11 years of age was received in Northern Ireland or outside Ireland, pupils who were previously enrolled as recognised pupils in a primary school or second level school who are being re-enrolled after a period spent abroad, provided that at least three years have elapsed since the previous enrolment in the State and the pupil is at least 11 years of age on re-enrolment and certain categories of pupils with special educational needs, as set out in circular M10/94 or pupils from abroad who have no understanding of English when enrolled.