Exemptions from Irish

Exemptions from Irish

Exempting a student from the study of Irish will be considered only in exceptional circumstances by the principal. The decision to exempt a student from the study of Irish is not made lightly as it is an important decision that may have implications for the students’ future learning.

Parents or guardians may request that the exemption from the study of Irish be initiated. When a student reaches the age of 18, he may also initiate the application process. The application should state why the exemption is being sought.

In reaching a decision on whether to grant or refuse an exemption, the Principal will, as relevant, consult with the parent(s)/guardian(s) and the student on whose behalf the application is being made or the student where he/she is the applicant, and relevant School personnel (the class teacher, learning support teacher, AEN Coordinator) and satisfy herself that all key evidence has been accessed.

Grounds for Exemption from the Study of Irish

Exemption from the study of Irish may be considered in the following exceptional circumstances only in line with Circular 055/2022:

1. The student is not less than 12 years of age on the day of their enrolment or re-enrolment whose education was received outside the State for a minimum period of three consecutive years where he did not have the opportunity to study Irish.

2. The student’s education was received outside the State for a minimum period of three consecutive years where he did not have the opportunity to study Irish or is enrolling following the completion of the full course of primary education recognised by another state.

3. The student experiences significant literacy difficulties that are an obstacle to their learning across the curriculum and that are persistent despite having had access to a differentiated approach to language and literacy learning in all subjects/across the curriculum over time. The student presents with a standardised score on a discrete test in either Word Reading, Reading Comprehension, or Spelling at/below the 10th percentile.

4. The student experiences a high level of multiple and persistent needs* that persist despite targeted and individualised Student Support Plans to address those needs over not less than two years and which are a significant barrier to the student’s participation and engagement in their learning and school life and who has been given every reasonable opportunity to participate in the learning of Irish in mainstream classes for as long as possible and the Principal is satisfied that the granting of an exemption is in the overall best interests of the student concerned.

* Multiple and persistent needs are enduring and severe in nature and significantly impact the student's daily functioning at school.

5. The student has a recommendation and has been deemed eligible for a place in a recognised special school and/or in a special class in a mainstream school.

Transitioning from another School

It is the responsibility of the parent(s)/guardian(s)/student (the applicant) to ensure that Templeogue College has a copy of the student’s Certificate of Exemption when students are transitioning from other schools.

Procedures for the processing of an Irish Exemption Application

The Board of Management has delegated authority to exempt a student from the study of Irish to the Principal.

The applicant

A parent/guardian on behalf of a student or, in the case of a student who has reached the age of 18, must formally apply to the Principal of Templeogue College for a Certificate of Exemption from the study of Irish.

The applicant will:

• Complete an application using the appropriate application form.
• Confirm the sub-paragraph on which the application is based (2.2.1, 2.2.2, 2.2.3 or 2.2.4).
• Be available to communicate with the School Principal/AEN Coordinator to discuss the application.
• Be aware that applications made before periods of school holidays may experience delays in processing as relevant school staff may be unavailable.

The AEN Coordinator will:

• Ensure that the date of receipt of the application by the school is recorded on the form.
• Acknowledge receipt of the application for exemption from the study of Irish in writing or via email.
• Discuss the written application with the parent(s)/guardian(s)/student and confirm the sub-paragraph on which the application is based (2.2.1, 2.2.2, 2.2.3 or 2.2.4) as soon as practicable following receipt of a written application.
• Inform the parent(s)/guardian(s)/student regarding any implications of an exemption from the study of Irish for the student while in post-primary education and into the future.
• Advise the parent(s)/guardian(s) of the next steps in processing the application.
• Inform the parent(s)/guardian(s)/student that the application will be processed in accordance with this policy, and the outcome on how the school will proceed with the application will be confirmed in writing within 21 school days of receipt of the application.

The decision

• The outcome of the application process will be conveyed by the school in writing to the parent(s)/guardian(s)/student.
• Where a decision is reached that an exemption from the study of Irish is granted, the Principal will issue a signed Certificate of Exemption. The Certificate of Exemption will also state the name and address of the school, the school roll number, the pupil’s name, date of birth and the sub-paragraph under which the exemption is being granted. In addition, parent(s)/guardian(s)/student will be explained the arrangements for the student’s learning at Irish time. These arrangements will be consistent with the schools’ Additional Educational Needs Policy. Parents/guardians and students will also be informed of the option not to exercise the exemption granted without losing the right to exercise it in the future.
• Where an application is refused, the Principal will outline the reason(s) for the decision.
• The parent(s)/guardian(s)/student will be informed that the decision may be appealed to the Irish Exemptions Appeal Committee within 30 calendar days from the date the school's decision was notified to the parent(s)/guardian(s)/student.

An Appeal

Where an application for an exemption from the study of Irish is refused, the parent(s)/guardian(s)/student may appeal the school’s decision not to grant an exemption to the Irish Exemptions Appeal Committee (IEAC) within 30 calendar days from the date on which the school's decision was notified in writing. Irish Exemption Appeal Form and Guidelines for Post-Primary Schools can be accessed at

www.gov.ie/en/service/irish-exemption/

gov - Exemptions from the study of Irish – post primary (www.gov.ie)