Kathryn Reilly (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for coming to the House on behalf of the relevant Minister. I refer to the announcement by the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Quinn, that politics and society will be a subject for examination in the leaving certificate. The curriculum has been developed over a period of time and this is very welcome. The civic, social and political education, CSPE, course, which is taught to junior certificate level, has not been sufficient and the course has been criticised because it does not deal with politics or give young people the necessary tools to be active citizens in political or public life.

My interest in politics was developed during my study of politics in college and now I am here and active in politics. The politics and society module will complement the decision by the Constitutional Convention to recommend a reduction in the voting age. We live in a globalised and politicised world and young people are connected to the world through various social media outlets and platforms. Any argument that young people are too apathetic or incompetent to engage in the political process is completely redundant. To facilitate young people's engagement in the political and public life, the inclusion of this subject is welcome.

It is a two-way process. The more young people are socialised into the political world and given the tools to understand it, the more likely they are to engage with it and to vote. The call by the Constitutional Convention for the reduction in the voting age to 16 years, coupled with the introduction of this subject, will enhance the political, social and economic landscape of the future. Young people are very knowledgeable and passionate about the world in which they live, and they are as capable as any other citizen of engaging in the democratic system.

I ask the Minister of State to provide information on teacher training for this subject. For example, I studied economics, politics and law in DCU. Will those degree subjects be recognised as acceptable for the teaching of this subject? When will the Teaching Council guidelines be changed to recognise courses? When will teacher training for this new course be initiated? When will the course commence in schools? It is important to have all these matters in hand as soon as possible and in advance of a referendum on a reduction in the voting age in order that young people are equipped to participate in the political process. The more information provided to young people at a younger age, the better. Once this subject is on the curriculum and is being taught satisfactorily, it will help to allay any concerns about a reduction in the voting age.