Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 266: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when a school (details supplied) in Dublin 12 will receive the promised funding for the leaving certificate technology programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40103/08]

Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 272: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason a school (details supplied) in Dublin 12 has not received a grant for the teaching of technology despite being given the go-ahead to teach this subject as part of a pilot project; if he will make contact with the school to clarify its position as regards outstanding funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40221/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 266 and 272 together.

The National Council for Curriculum & Assessment has developed a new syllabus at Leaving Certificate for Technology; prior to this the subject was available to Junior Certificate level only. The subject was first introduced into Post-Primary schools in September 2007 and will be examined for the first time by the State Examinations Commission in June 2009.

15 additional schools were invited to introduce the Leaving Certificate Technology syllabus in September 2008 as part of a phased implementation plan. My Department has contacted the Principals of each of the additional schools to advise that in light of the competing demands on the available budget, it was not possible to approve funding at this time but that it is anticipated that the grant will be paid early in the new year.