A number of parents have enquired about the procedure around
gaining exemptions for their children from the study of Irish
language. Please note that this exemption from the study of Irish
is not at the discretion of the Principal or school. The conditions
under which such exemptions are granted are explicitly laid out in
DES Circular 0052/2019 available on https://www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Archived-Circulars/pc12_96.pdf
Schools may grant exemptions in line with section 2.2 of this
circular only. The following are the only circumstances in which an
exemption may be granted:
2.2a: Pupils whose education up to 12 years of age (or up to and
including the final year of Primary Education) outside of the state
and where they did have the opportunity to engage in the study of
Irish.
2.2b: Pupils who previously enrolled as a recognised pupil in
primary schools who are being re-enrolled after a period spent
abroad, provided that at least three consecutive years have elapsed
since the previous enrolment in the state and are at least 12 years
of age on re-enrolment
2.2c: Pupils who have at least reached second class and present
with significant and persistent learning difficulties and present
with a standardised score in a discreet test at/below the 10th
percentile in either word reading, Reading Comprehension or
spelling.
2.2d: Children of foreigners who are diplomatic or consular
representatives in Ireland
This applies to very few of our pupils and exemptions are the
exception that the rule. I wish to reiterate that the school is
informed by the above and cannot issue an exemption in any other
circumstance
Schools may grant exemptions in line with section 2.2 of this
circular only. The following are the only circumstances in which an
exemption may be granted:
2.2a: Pupils whose education up to 12 years of age (or up to and
including the final year of Primary Education) outside of the state
and where they did have the opportunity to engage in the study of
Irish.
2.2b: Pupils who previously enrolled as a recognised pupil in
primary schools who are being re-enrolled after a period spent
abroad, provided that at least three consecutive years have elapsed
since the previous enrolment in the state and are at least 12 years
of age on re-enrolment
2.2c: Pupils who have at least reached second class and present
with significant and persistent learning difficulties and present
with a standardised score in a discreet test at/below the 10th
percentile in either word reading, Reading Comprehension or
spelling.
2.2d: Children of foreigners who are diplomatic or consular
representatives in Ireland
This applies to very few of our pupils and exemptions are the
exception that the rule. I wish to reiterate that the school is
informed by the above and cannot issue an exemption in any other
circumstance