Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 6: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the concerns expressed by teachers of history and geography regarding the future status of those subjects taking into consideration the introduction of a new junior certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34784/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I have endorsed the broad thrust of the proposals on junior cycle reform submitted to me by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA, in October 2011 following an extensive consultation process. It envisages all students will be expected to achieve 24 statements of learning over the three years of their junior cycle. These include developing an understanding of the natural world, learning how to think and act sustainably, understanding the distribution of social, economic and environmental phenomena, valuing local and national heritage and recognising the relevance of the past to current national and international issues and events.

It is clear, therefore, that geographical and historical awareness skills will be necessary to achieve the required outcomes. Overall, I am in favour of leaving the decision on what is offered at the discretion of the school and of students having as broad a range of options to choose from as possible. This issue will be taken forward in the discussions on implementation with the partners in education.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I welcomed the NCCA report when it was published both through a press release and at the Oireachtas committee on education. I compliment Professor Tom Collins, Anne Looney and their colleagues in the NCCA for the large amount of work they have carried out in the review since it was launched in 2009.

I welcome the Minister indicating to Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan that he would meet the teaching associations for history and geography. All Members are receiving concerns from teachers, not alone of history and geography, but other subjects. While I appreciate the Minister has many commitments, it would be all the better if these meetings could take place as early as possible.

The NCCA report contains a framework for the new junior certificate which does not contain geography or history as core curriculum subjects. This is a concern for teachers of these subjects. A better explanation for the reasons behind this would be useful.

The cap on subjects taken for the junior certificate examination can be introduced on a voluntary basis from the next school year. Before the mandatory cap is introduced in 2014, will the Department examine participation levels in different subjects? If a particular pattern or decline in subject participation emerges which is not good from an education point of view, it might allow a chance to redress the problem before the mandatory cap comes in.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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There are some statistics available on the number of subjects junior cycle students take. I will make them available to Deputies later to better inform them of the situation.

The Deputy is correct that we have suggested that schools, on a voluntary basis, could reduce the number of subjects in which junior certificate examinations are taken to figure out the implications of the cap. Students from September 2014 will be the first cohort of the new junior certificate.

We are looking for a new name for the certificate. I have invited the Irish Second-Level Students Union and its president, Leanne Caulfield, to come back with a proposed name, as they are the people who will have to sit the examination. I want a new name for it to indicate it is not a revised or reformed course but a different type of course.

I am happy to meet with all the stakeholders. However, to ensure the meetings are productive, the stakeholders should meet first with the relevant sections of the Department dealing directly with their concerns. This will allow us highlight and identify the issues which require a political response rather than just clarification.