Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Chairman started where I wish to continue. We have a dilemma. The history teachers of Ireland seem to want one thing. Could the Department say what it has achieved from this session in terms of how we can marry the different concerns?

I refer to the statements of learning. Can we broaden the number of statements through which history can be achieved? Who decides that? Is it the principal or the Department? It will be critical. If we cannot offer history as a means to fulfil statements of learning, principals will not set up classes, as it will not be practical.

Deputies Ó Snodaigh and Griffin are correct. It depends on what subject history is being offered against, such as French. A science subject is now almost mandatory at junior certificate level. Given where the jobs are, it is also understood that is the case at leaving certificate level. I want to hear from the Department.

Have history teachers worked with the primary sector? There is a very exciting revised curriculum at primary level. The understanding of history is being communicated through documents, newspapers and the census. I compliment Ms Crowe; I did not know she was responsible for making the census accessible. It is not just students but ordinary citizens who are finding history exciting and learning about their ancestry.

Are we working with primary teachers? Unless the Department is a little more flexible in taking concerns on board, we will have to do a massive sales and marketing job on history. It is a subject that is about defining who we are. As Senator O'Donnell said, it explains who we are to ourselves. We will lose all of that. That is the value of citizenship. Let us not have that as our legacy.