Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This is not accelerated. This is something that was committed to ten years ago and it has taken until now to get to the point where it is going to start in September. Given the momentum I have mentioned, it is important we make sure it starts but that we support teachers, unions and students in making sure it happens in the best way possible and that students benefit from it.

A number of things have been done such as training, money for science labs, the State Examinations Commission publishing the sample papers tomorrow, the additional assessment components briefs that will be provided at the beginning of the school year, and guidelines to support completion of the additional assessment components.

Tranche 1 was published last December, having been developed with the SEC. The process involved teacher focus groups. There has been provision to schools with instructions around the use of AI in course work since 2023, but in addition and separately, my Department is working with the State Examinations Commission to develop high-level guidance on the use of AI in teaching and learning. It is anticipated that this will be published shortly. Everybody acknowledges AI is here to stay. It is not about preventing students from using it but to make sure that insofar as possible-----

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