Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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46. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment is making on the implementation of the education about religions and beliefs, ERB and the ethics curriculum proposals; when he expects it to be rolled out to all schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35020/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector recommended in its report that programmes in Education about Religion and Beliefs (ERB) and Ethics be developed. The NCCA was asked, by one of my predecessors, in response to the report, to explore the development of such programmes.

The NCCA produced a Consultation Paper in 2015 outlining the proposed rationale, vision, aims and features of a curriculum in ERB and Ethics, and engaged in an extensive consultation process with patrons, education partners, schools, teachers and parents.

I have just received a report on the consultation process from the NCCA, which will be published shortly. The report outlines the key messages arising from the consultation process and emerging directions for the development of a curriculum. I am considering the NCCA’s advice on the approach to be adopted in developing curriculum provision for Education about Religions and Beliefs and Ethics at primary level.