Kathryn Reilly (Sinn Fein)
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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.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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Senator Reilly is a very good example of how the study of politics can lead to an interest in politics and to being a national representative. I am in a position to answer some of the Senator's questions, but I will convey the other questions to the Minister, Deputy Quinn. I thank the Senator for raising this matter as it provides me with the opportunity to outline the position with regard to the inclusion of politics and society as an examinable subject for the leaving certificate. The Minister, Deputy Quinn, has decided to include politics and society in the suite of leaving certificate subjects available to schools. The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment provided his Department with a syllabus in mid-2011. At the time the NCCA noted that it was investigating some options relating to the new syllabus and its introduction to schools. The task force on active citizenship in 2008 had recommended that a citizenship programme be introduced as an exam subject at senior cycle. It has not been possible to introduce the new syllabus, however, because of the prioritisation of the reform of the junior cycle, Project Maths and Irish. The Minister wishes to prioritise the introduction of the politics and society subject. The Minister has written to the NCCA to obtain its advice on the 2011 syllabus, the results of the investigative work and the need, if any, to update the syllabus.

Students in the new junior cycle should learn to value what it means to be an active citizen with rights and responsibilities in local and wider contexts. A new specification for civic social and political education is being developed by the NCCA. This will be additional to the current CSPE syllabus. Such CSPE provision acts as a follow-on from the strand, entitled Myself and the Wider World, in the primary sector. The Minister believes it is logical that there should be a seamless transition to senior cycle in this very important area, hence his recent announcement.

More than 97% of post-primary schools have student councils which can be a medium for students to put into action what they learn in CSPE and what they will learn in politics and society. As active citizens, students have a deep interest in how their country is run, especially since the recession, as well as an interest in decisions and in understanding how such decisions will affect their future. If students participate in the study of the new politics and society course, this will give them an insight into power and decision-making, active citizenship, human rights and responsibilities, as well as globalisation and localisation. The subject curriculum will examine aspects of sustainable development with a focus on the merits or otherwise of changes in the students' communities. In 2010, the international civic and citizenship education study, Ready to Engage?, found that Irish 14 year olds ranked seventh out of 36 participating countries. Students are curious and interested in politics and society. For this reason the Minister is of the view that the new syllabus should be included in the suite of leaving certificate subjects.

Many of our universities offer degree courses in sociology, political science and other areas whose content is very relevant to the politics and society syllabus. Education departments in many of these institutions have supported the postgraduate diploma in education to provide training to teachers in the active teaching and learning methodologies required for teaching CSPE. I am confident that much of the necessary expertise in content and methodology required to support the supply of teachers of politics and society exists in our system. This may answer Deputy Reilly's question. The Minister has prioritised the introduction of politics and society at senior cycle. Until he receives a response from the NCCA, however, it is not possible for him to say when the subject will be available to schools.

The introduction of the new subject of politics and society will enhance the suite of subjects available to senior cycle students. It will inform them about politics and society from a local, national and international perspective. It should develop their ability to become reflective, critically informed and active citizens.

Kathryn Reilly (Sinn Fein)
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I thank the Minister of State.