Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on the planned junior certificate reforms including the next steps and the time scale for the reforms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7869/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The new curriculum specifications for subjects in the Junior Cycle will be introduced on a phased basis. The specification for each subject will be available in schools a year prior to its implementation with first year students.

Phase 1: English will be introduced to first years in the school year 2014-15 for first certification in autumn 2017. A number of short courses prepared by the NCCA will also be availablePhase 2: Irish, Science and Business Studies will be introduced to first years in school year 2015-16 for first certification in autumn 2018.Phase 3: Home Economics, Music, Geography, Modern Languages and Art, Craft and Design will be introduced to first years in school year 2016-17 for first certification in autumn 2019.Phase 4: Mathematics, Religious Education, Jewish Studies, Classics, History and Technology subjects will be introduced to first years in school year 2017-18 for first certification in autumn 2020.

However, a comprehensive professional development service will be provided from Autumn 2013 for teachers of each subject and also for Principals and Deputy Principals.