Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 49: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the report of the expert group on future skills needs regarding the level of achievement in mathematics among students here; if he will implement the recommendations of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14482/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The Report of the Expert Group called for the introduction of bonus points for Higher Level Mathematics in the Leaving Certificate. I am pleased to say that all third level institutions have collectively decided to operate a bonus points scheme for Higher Level Mathematics for a four year trial period from 2012 to 2015 with a review in 2014. A bonus of 25 points will be allocated to students who achieve a grade D3 or above in LC Higher Level mathematics.

As recommended in that report, Project Maths began in all second level schools in September 2010, building on the experiences of 24 Project Schools which started the programme in 2008. This is being supported by a national programme of professional development for teachers which began in 2009, and will continue to at least 2013. A Project Maths Implementation Support Group, as an industry/education partnership, has also reported in 2010 on how stakeholders from business, second level and higher education can work together to achieve the objectives of Project Maths. My Department is also currently finalising a draft National Literacy and Numeracy plan which is designed to promote a significant improvement in this area across primary and second level schools.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 50: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a report outlining any difficulties with the project maths website [i]www.projectwebsite.ie[/i]; and if past papers are to become available for download from this website. [14448/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The www.projectmaths.ie website is operating normally. The norm, in cases of syllabus reform, is that the State Examinations Commission publishes a sample examination paper in the first term of the examination year. In the case of Project Maths, the website contains sample examination papers published by the State Examinations Commission for the Junior Certificate 2011, sample papers for the Leaving Certificate 2010 and 2011, and the actual examination papers for the Leaving Certificate in 2010. This is supplemented by a range of resources for teachers and students and by comprehensive professional development for teachers. The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment has also provided examples of questions and materials for schools which are available on its website, www.ncca.ie. The examination papers are also available on the NCCA and on the State Examinations Commission website www.examinations.ie.

Project Maths began in all schools in September 2010 in junior and senior cycle, building on the experience of 24 schools which began the initiative in 2008. The reforms are being implemented on a phased basis over 3 years across five strands of mathematics, and are being refined in the light of the experience in the project schools. As each of the strands are implemented, the examinations for the relevant class years for the strands in question are changed to reflect the new approach. The initiative is therefore evolutionary in nature for the 24 project schools. While materials and supports and sample examination papers are being provided, schools cannot rely on a databank of past examination papers, as they could in the past.

Project Maths is designed to encourage better understanding of mathematics, to reinforce its practical relevance to everyday life, and to ensure better curriculum continuity across the system. A key objective is to improve attainment levels in Maths and to encourage more students to take the subject at higher level.