Exemption from the study of Irish

All children educated in Ireland are expected to have the opportunity to study Irish to an appropriate standard and Irish is included as a core subject in the national curricula for recognised primary and post-primary schools and centres for education in Ireland. In certain exceptional circumstances, a primary pupil or post-primary student may be granted an exemption from studying Irish. School management holds the authority to grant an exemption, in the exceptional circumstances outlined in the relevant circular.

Exemption eligibility is outlined in the Circulars:

• 0054/2022 (Primary)
• 0055/2022 (Post Primary)

A written application for an exemption is made by the parent/guardian or the student (18 years and over) to the school principal on behalf of their child/themselves. The application should state the reason why the exemption is being sought.

A pupil/student will only be considered for an exemption if their educational circumstances are included in the Primary Circular or the Post-primary Circular respectively.

Before applying for an exemption from the study of Irish, applicants should discuss the application in the school and may wish to review the frequently asked questions in the Further information section of this page.

If the application for an exemption from the study of Irish is refused, a parent/guardian or a student over 18 years can appeal the school’s decision to the Irish Exemptions Appeal Committee (IEAC).

The IEAC will make a decision on whether the exemption should be granted or not, inform the school of the decision and require the school to give effect to their decision.

Appeals must be lodged within 30 calendar days from the date of the school's decision to refuse an exemption. The parent or guardian will receive notice of this decision in writing.

• Frequently asked Questions - For Parents
• Frequently asked Questions – For Schools
• Exemptions from the Study of Irish: Guidelines for Primary Schools (English-medium) August 2022
• Exemptions from the Study of Irish: Guidelines for Post-Primary Schools (English-medium) August 2022
• Exemption from the Study of Irish - Guidance on Test Selection

• Operation of Exemptions from the Study of Irish Circulars 0052/2019 (Primary) and 0053/2019 (Post-Primary): Initial Review June 2022
• Research Report: Review of Policy and Practice in Relation to Exemptions from the Study of Irish July 2018
• Report of Public Consultation on exemptions from the study of Irish May 2019
• Statistical information on exemptions from the study of Irish (Updated Annually)

• Minister McHugh announces new criteria for granting exemptions from the study of Irish 12 August 2019

• Exemption from the Study of Irish - Forms