589. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth if the number of sraithpictiúr for the leaving certificate oral Irish exam will remain at ten for examinations taking place in 2027 and 2028; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65294/26]

In November 2025, it was confirmed that the existing examination and assessment adjustments, which have been in place since 2022, would remain in place for all existing subjects until they are replaced by new or revised specifications under Senior Cycle Redevelopment.

This means that in 2027, the same examination and assessment adjustments that applied in 2025 and 2026 will apply for all subjects except those in Tranche 1 of Senior Cycle Redevelopment. Similarly, in 2028, the same adjustments will apply in all subjects except those in Tranche 1 and Tranche 2 of Senior Cycle Redevelopment, and so on. The subjects to be included in each Tranche have already been communicated to schools, students and stakeholders, and can be found here: ncca.ie/en/senior-cycle/senior-cycle-redevelopment/schedule-of-senior-cycle-subjects-for-redevelopment/

As has been the case in recent years, students will be required to study only 10 of the sraith pictiúr for the Leaving Certificate Irish oral examination as long as the existing Irish specification is in place. Irish is in Tranche 4 of Senior Cycle Redevelopment. This means that the new specification will be introduced for students starting 5th year in September 2028, who will sit their Leaving Certificate exams in June 2030.