Schools have been told that they cannot award exemptions from the study of Irish on the basis of psychologists’ reports commissioned by parents which recommend that their children should not have to study the language.
The move to limit exemptions comes as school principals report that they feel under pressure from parents to award exemptions in cases where educational psychologists’ reports – typically costing €700 to €800 – commissioned by the parents recommend exemptions from the study of Irish, citing issues such as learning difficulties or anxiety issues, among other things.
One principal in south Dublin said the points race was driving demand among some students to secure such exemptions.
As things stand, it is mandatory to study Irish, but a student or their parent can apply to their school for an exemption under “exceptional circumstances”, such as a learning difficulty or having been educated outside the State.
Rising numbers of pupils have secured such exemptions at second level in recent years, up from 9 per cent of students in 2017-2018 to more than 12 per cent in 2022-2023.
Some schools with high levels of exemptions have now been told by the Department of Education that psychological reports commissioned by parents do not meet the criteria for exemptions, and that schools may only grant such measures where there are “significant and persistent literacy difficulties” for a student across all subjects, along with documentary evidence such as students’ support plans.
We would like to hear your views on the current system for granting exemptions. Are you a parent, former student or educator who is affected by or has experience of these issues?
What is your view on the latest instructions from the Department of Education?
Did you require an exemption from studying Irish, and if so, how did you find navigating that process? And do you disagree with the idea that educational psychologists’ reports are irrelevant when schools consider whether to grant exemptions?
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