More than 10% of pupils in the Republic are now exempt from studying Irish, new figures reveal.
The language is compulsory at secondary level in schools in the Republic, but statistics show a rise in the number of students who have applied for an exemption under “exceptional circumstances”.
Figures show exemptions granted have increased from 9% of students in 2017-18 to more than 12% in 2022-23, with learning difficulties or having been educated outside the Republic among the reasons.
The Irish Times reported that the Department of Education in the Republic last year contacted more than 50 schools with “significantly and consistently higher percentage of exemptions”.
An audit of the post-primary sector found that in some cases, the proportion of exemptions in individual schools was several times the national average.
A letter sent to schools said the department “acknowledges the increasingly complex environment in which schools are working” and recognised that making decisions on applications from parents for exemptions “can be challenging”.
The department said it recognised the increasing number of students from abroad being educated in schools in the Republic as well as a growing number of students with special needs.
It added “the number of exemptions being granted is growing and I am sure you will share the department’s concern in this regard”.
“The Irish language is part of our heritage and there are well-known educational and social benefits to bilingualism,” the letter stated.
Most schools cited a range of factors including significant numbers of students with special needs, the enrolment of Ukrainian students and exemptions previously awarded to pupils at primary level.
