Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)

In respect of the capitation, my ambition is to continue to increase this. It went from 183 during the 2023-24 school year to 200 last year and now, from September of this year, it has increased to 224 for primary. There is a commitment in the programme for Government that we will continue to increase that. As I mentioned earlier, although there are different views on this, in secondary schools there are kitchens, science labs, engineering and woodwork. Those requirements are not necessarily found in primary schools. They tend to be larger as well, so there is a greater need there. However, I want to see an increase in both primary and post primary, and that is what has been happening. I want to continue that.

Regarding leaving certificate reform, we are still working through the second, third, fourth and fifth tranches and the specifications for the various different subjects. Tranche 2 will be at committee next week and will come to me. This year we are looking at seven subjects, including three of the sciences and four others, with the two new subjects relating to climate and drama. Any engagement or any recommendations to me are based on the working groups, which have experts, be they in Irish, science, engineering or any of the subjects in that group and that make those recommendations—--