Conradh na Gaeilge has described it as “exclusionary” to exempt foreign-born children from studying Irish. 

Presently, Irish remains a compulsory subject for all students up until the Leaving Cert. 

However, in recent years, the number of students receiving exemptions has grown significantly. 

Children who move to Ireland after the age of 12 are generally exempt, as are those who are diagnosed as having “literacy difficulty” or “multiple and persistent needs”. 

On Lunchtime Live, Aodhán Ó Deá said gaeilgeoirí are “incredibly frustrated about the education system at the moment”.  

 “It’s embarrassing and shameful to think that in 100 years after the foundation of this State, that we’ve never had a comprehensive policy looking at how we can teach Irish from pre-school, right up to third-level,” he said. 

“The amount of exemptions has skyrocketed over the last number of years since the Department of Education has changed that need for an independent assessment.

“It essentially has made Irish optional through the backdoor.” 

A sign in Irish welcoming visitors to the Gaeltacht. Picture by: Alamy.com. 

Mr Ó Deá describes this as an “Irish solution” and said things are stricter in other countries with minority languages. 

“Every other country that has a minority language, there’s no other example around the world of exemptions,” he said. 

“It’s something we have created; we believe it’s actually exclusionary. 

“We’re not integrating people coming into the country or including people who have difficulties.”

Main image: Primary school children. Picture by: Alamy.com.