Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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255. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the teaching of maths in Irish schools (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39060/14]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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At both primary and post primary, literacy and numeracy have been prioritised as key skills for all students. Complementing the Literacy and Numeracy Strategy (2011) has been the recent implementation of new specifications in mathematics at junior and senior cycle - known locally as "Project Maths".

The reform of post primary Mathematics began in 24 schools in September 2008 and was rolled out, on a phased basis, to all mainstream second level schools from September 2010.

This reform was accompanied by an intensive programme of continuous professional development for teachers, provided by the Project Maths Development Team. The team was established in 2008 and has since then provided professional development supports to approximately 6,000 Post-Primary teachers of mathematics. Supports include the facilitation of workshops, a national conference, the development of resources to support both teachers and students, the provision of modular courses in ICT and content, and the creation and maintenance of web-based support.

In addition, a two year part-time Professional Diploma in Mathematics for Teaching (Level 8) is being run by the NCE-MSTL consortium. Some 280 teachers completed the programme and are expected to graduate in 2014. A second cohort of 270 teachers are participating on the programme which began in September 2013, and 240 teachers are participating in the 3rd round of the course from September 2014.

These two major commitments were prioritised so as to enhance the quality of teaching and learning in post-primary mathematics.

The new Junior Cycle and Leaving Certificate specifications for mathematics are now being implemented in all post-primary schools.

In line with a commitment in the national literacy and numeracy strategy, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) has initiated a review of the primary maths curriculum.

The revision of the curriculum will be on a phased basis, with the initial focus being on the development of a revised mathematics curriculum for children in the first four years of primary school, from junior infants to second class inclusive.

In order to inform the revision of the Maths curriculum, two research reports on children's mathematics learning and development in primary school have been commissioned by the NCCA. These reports will be launched on 24 November at a conference entitled 'Developing Mathematical ideas with children aged 3-8'.