Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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534. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the leaving certificate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18203/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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There are no plans at present to introduce Computing / IT as a full curriculum subject for the Leaving Certificate. The focus in schools is on using ICT as a tool in learning guided by the ICT curriculum framework developed by the NCCA. This is supported by digital content on the scoilnet website, by professional development programmes for teachers and by investment in ICT infrastructure. All post primary schools are now connected to a 100 Mbps broadband service, providing for improved integration of ICT in learning.

The new junior cycle allows for the introduction of school-developed short courses of 100 hours duration as an option. This provides further opportunities for schools to progress the provision of courses in IT. The NCCA has published a short course in Coding. In addition, ICT is an area of essential learning which all students are required to experience, and Managing Information and Thinking is embedded in subjects as a core skill.

In the new junior cycle all students are required to achieve 24 statements of essential learning. These include using ICT effectively and ethically, using appropriate technologies to meet a design challenge, applying practical skills, and developing models and products using a variety of materials and technologies.

There is also a Transition Year option in relation to Having Fun with Computer Programming and Games and, under the ICT Action Plan, this is being expanded nationally.

Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) are also significant components in the syllabuses of Technology and Design and Communication Graphics.

The NCCA is giving consideration to including Computer Science as one of the possible areas of application for consideration under 'Option 3' on the Leaving Cert Applied Maths syllabus, as set out in their Background Paper. A Development Group has been tasked with the work of preparing the new specification over the current year. When a draft specification is ready, there will be a further round of consultation - in late 2015 or early 2016.