Exemption from the study of Irish An exemption from the study of Irish is not automatic. The Department of Education has set out specific criteria for exemptions in Circular 0055/2022. Parents/guardians should read the information below carefully before submitting an application.
An exemption cannot be granted unless the Department criteria are met and the correct process is followed.
Who may be eligible for an exemption?
An exemption may be considered where one of the following circumstances applies:
1. A student who has been educated outside Ireland: A student may qualify where:
they have received their education outside the State for a minimum of three consecutive years; and
they have not had the opportunity to study Irish in a Primary School; and
they are 12 years of age or older when they enrol or re-enrol in a recognised school in Ireland.
This may also apply to a student who has completed their full primary education outside Ireland and is enrolling in post-primary education in Ireland.
Important: A student who has attended primary school in Ireland does not qualify for an exemption under this criterion simply because they did not study Irish in primary school.
2. Significant and persistent literacy difficulties: An exemption may be considered where a student has significant and persistent literacy difficulties which present a substantial barrier to learning Irish. The student must have received appropriate, differentiated support for their literacy difficulties over time, and the school must have evidence of the supports provided and their impact.
The student must also meet the specific assessment criteria set out in Circular 0055/2022, including a standardised score at or below the 10th percentile in an appropriate assessment of:
Word Reading;
Reading Comprehension; or
Spelling.
A diagnosis or learning difficulty does not automatically mean that a student qualifies for an exemption.
3. A high level of multiple and persistent needs: An exemption may be considered for a student who has a high level of multiple and persistent needs which create a very significant and continuing barrier to their participation and engagement in learning and school life.
The Circular requires evidence that:
the student's needs are significant and persistent;
targeted and individualised Student Support Plans have been in place and reviewed over time;
appropriate supports and interventions have been provided;
the student has been given reasonable opportunities to participate in Irish; and
the Principal is satisfied that an exemption is in the student's overall best interests.
4. Students attending a recognised special school or special class: Students who are currently attending a recognised special school or a special class in a mainstream school, or who previously attended a recognised special school or special class and are transitioning to mainstream education, may be eligible for an exemption in accordance with the Circular. Where the student is not currently attending a recognised special school or special class, but has been recommended and deemed eligible for a place, an application for an exemption is required.
What does NOT automatically qualify a student?
The following, on their own, do not qualify a student for an exemption:
English is not the student's first language.
The student speaks another language at home.
The student is learning English as an additional language (EAL).
The student finds Irish difficult.
The student has not studied Irish previously.
The student did not participate in Irish during primary school.
The student has attended an Irish primary school but did not study Irish.
A parent/guardian believes an exemption would be beneficial.
A student has a diagnosis or additional educational need where the specific criteria in Circular 0055/2022 have not been met.
In particular, not having studied Irish in primary school does not, by itself, provide grounds for an exemption. A certificate from the Primary School must be provided to Lusk CC in order for the exemption to be put in place.
How to apply
Step 1 Please read the Department of Education's guidance and the criteria carefully. Step 2 Complete the Lusk Community College Irish Exemption Application Form. This can be obtained from the AEN Coordinator [email protected] Step 3 Provide any relevant supporting information or documentation requested on the form. Step 4 Submit the completed form to the AEN Coordinator. The school will consider the application in accordance with Department of Education Circular 0055/2022.
The outcome of the application will be communicated to the parent/guardian. If an application is refused, the parent/guardian will be informed of the reasons for the decision and the relevant appeals process.
Please remember
Submitting an application does not mean that an exemption will automatically be granted. The school can only grant an exemption where the student meets the criteria set out by the Department of Education. For further information, please refer to the Department of Education's guidance: Department of Education – Exemption from the Study of Irish View the Department of Education guidance Department of Education Circular 0055/2022 – Exemptions from the Study of Irish – Post-Primary View Circular 0055/2022