Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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210. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of introducing a computer science curriculum at primary and secondary level, including staff and equipment, if such a programme was to be offered in all schools to all students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17781/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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Exact expenditure figures regarding the teaching of Computer Science or Coding in schools are not available, as funding is not allocated by my Department on a subject-by-subject basis.  However, work in this area is taking place at both primary and post-primary levels. 

Statistics from the last academic year indicate that there were in excess of 10,800 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) interactions by the Professional Service for Teachers (Technology in Education) (PDST TIE) with teachers where ICT training, including coding, was specifically targeted. Interactions range from a 2 hour session in a local education centre to a 20 hour summer course or a suite of sessions. In addition 239 ICT tutors were trained. 

The PDST-TIE national support service promotes and supports the integration of ICT in teaching and learning in primary and post-primary schools.  

Primary

The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) is currently in the process of developing a new primary mathematics curriculum to include computational thinking (including coding), and flexible and creative thinking skills.

Junior Cycle

The NCCA has developed a short course on Coding, which is available to schools for their Junior Cycle programme on an optional basis. The course can build on coding skills that primary students might have experienced, while offering insight into possible future studies in computer science and software engineering.  Junior Cycle for Teachers (JCT) is my Department’s support service providing CPD opportunities for teachers to support the implementation of the new Framework for Junior Cycle. The JCT will provide CPD in relation to the Coding short course in 2017. 

Senior Cycle

The introduction of Leaving Certificate Computer Science is an important step in increasing subject choice for students in the 21^stCentury. The NCCA was requested by my Department to examine the introduction of Computer Science in schools from September 2018.

Work by the NCCA is underway on developing the draft Leaving Certificate Computer Science subject specification in 2017, informed by the Report on the Provision of Courses in Computer Science in Upper Second Level Education Internationally, published in February 2017. A steering group is being set up by my Department to develop and oversee an implementation plan for Leaving Certificate Computer Science, with a view to commencing introduction in schools from September 2018.  This group will also look at potential costs in terms of infrastructure and equipment. 

As part of the Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020, €210 million will be distributed to schools for the purchase of ICT Infrastructure to support the implementation of ICT in the curriculum commencing with €30 million in the first half of 2017 which has already been distributed to schools.  

Furthermore, on top of all these initiatives, a large number of schools are running voluntary coding programmes through initiatives such as Coder Dojo (over 200 dojos in Ireland),  Hour of Code where over 200 events took place in Ireland, and the  annual computer programming Olympiad held at Dublin City University.