1361. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number taking Irish as a subject at leaving certificate level; the number receiving each grade for the past three years. [32326/15]

There was a significant policy change implemented from 2012 which significantly increased the proportion of marks assigned to the Irish oral component of the Leaving Certiifcate. The oral examination is now worth 40% of the total marks, compared to 25% formerly. 46,565 candidates presented for the Leaving Certificate Irish examination in 2015 compared to 43,647 candidates in 2013. The numbers taking Higher Level Irish have increased from 16,665 in 2013 to 19,460 in 2015. Information on the numbers obtaining the different grades at the three different levels - higher, ordinary and foundation - is all freely available on the website of the State Examinations Commission at https://www.examinations.ie/?l=en&mc=st&sc=r15