239 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Education and Science if a decision has been made on an application by a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary for exemption from Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15936/00]

Under circular letter M10/94 the managerial authorities of individual second level schools have delegated authority from my Department to grant exemptions from the study of Irish in accordance with prescribed procedures, and subject to monitoring by my Department. The criteria under which a pupil can be exempted from the study of Irish are kept under review and are updated periodically to take account of new circumstances. Under the criteria currently in operation a pupil who commences his-her education in this State on or after his-her eleventh birthday may be exempted from the study of Irish.

In the case in question the pupil falls outside the terms of the circular. However, the school has referred the matter to my Department for further consideration. My Department expects to be in contact with the school shortly.