Ms Anne O'Mahony:

Senator Healy Eames asked about what was happening at second level. I appreciate, her children being in first year and sixth year, it is perhaps not the ideal moment in the sense that, as she will be aware, junior cycle reform is coming down the tracks.

In the context of today's discussion, I want to highlight that junior cycle reform will be introduced on a phased basis from 2014 but from September 2014 the NCCA's short courses in coding and programming will be available to schools to offer to their first year students. It is a matter for schools to look at their own resources and what they have available before they offer those. I note what Deputy O'Brien stated earlier, but those will be available from September 2014.