Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 33: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she intends to make changes to the rules and programme for secondary schools before the start of the next school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39541/05]

Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 66: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if the rules and programme for secondary schools will be amended in order that all pupils have a free choice in deciding the subjects to pursue to leaving certificate level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39537/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 66 together.

In accordance with the rules and programme for secondary schools, the approved course for the established leaving certificate must include not less than five approved examination subjects, of which one must be Irish. The exception to this is where a student has been granted an exemption from the study of Irish. The rules and programme for secondary schools are updated from time to time, to take account of such matters as new and revised syllabi.

It is the intention of my Department to have them updated for the 2006-07 school year. No change is proposed, however, to the minimum course requirements outlined above for students following the established leaving certificate programme.