<P> Students must go to school from ages 6 to 16 or until they have completed three years of second - level of education . Under the Constitution of Ireland, parents are not obliged "in violation of their conscience and lawful preference to send their children to schools established by the State, or to any particular type of school designated by the State ." However the parental right to home - educate his / her child has met legal contests over minimum standards in the absence of constitutional provision for State - defined educational standards . </P> <P> In 1973 the Irish language requirement for a second - level certificate was abandoned . However the Irish language remains a core subject taught in all public schools with exemptions given to individual pupils on grounds of significant periods lived abroad, or with learning difficulties etc . </P> <P> While English is the primary medium of instruction at all levels in most schools across the state, Gaelscoileanna i.e. Irish - language schools, have become increasingly popular outside Gaeltacht regions where they have traditionally been . In these schools, Irish is the primary medium of instruction at all levels and English is taught as a second language starting in the second or third year of secondary school . </P> <P> At third level, most university programs are through English with only a few Irish options . Some universities offer courses partly through French, German or Spanish . </P>

When was free second level education introduced in ireland