Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 112, 122 and 282 together.

I thank the Deputies who have tabled these questions as the topic is of interest to anyone who is a Deputy. I have decided to make the subject politics and society available to students at senior cycle. On foot of this, my Department recently wrote to the NCCA seeking its advice on a number of issues which need to be addressed before the subject can be made available.

Politics and society, as with many other leaving certificate subjects, is designed to be studied from the beginning. The curriculum for the subject has been published and is available from the NCCA. The only issues outstanding are when it can be commenced. I advise Deputies with an interest in this area to look at the curriculum and the recommended textbooks. I would like to think that students starting transition year next September could aim towards taking politics and society as a leaving certificate subject three years hence. There may be some issues around the preparation of examination questions but we need to do something of this order and I am very committed to making it happen.

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