Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 44: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will report on the current status of proposals to review the junior certificate; his views on the proposal by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment that history be removed as a compulsory core subject for the junior certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30790/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I have endorsed the broad thrust of the proposals on junior cycle reform submitted to me by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment in late 2011 following an extensive consultation process. They envisage that all students will be expected to achieve 24 statements of learning over the period of their junior cycle. These include valuing local and national heritage and recognising the relevance of the past to current national and international issues and events. It is clear, therefore, that historical awareness skills will be necessary to achieve the required outcomes. Overall, I am in favour of leaving the decisions on what is offered at the discretion of the school and of students having as broad a range of options to choose from as possible.