Mr. Pádraig Mac Fhlannchadha:

Deputy Ó Ríordáin referred to the reason there was a lower take-up at leaving certificate level despite the relatively high take-up at junior cycle level.

It all comes down to the teaching and the students' experience of history at junior cycle. We are aware that the current syllabus is overloaded. The new specification, when it comes online, will provide the opportunity to revise and update the current syllabus and ensure that the skills and competences relevant to the study of history will be fully incorporated. As with all other subjects it provides an opportunity to make it a vibrant learning experience for the students. There will be an opportunity for introducing projects, field trips, and the opportunity for students to deliver presentations, both written and oral, as part of assessment arrangements and designing tasks. There is great potential to develop not only the knowledge but the skills which are key to the subject.