Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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210. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will report on junior certificate syllabus, subject and assessment reforms and his key priorities in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31120/17]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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214. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the roll-out of junior cycle reform process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31124/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to takes Questions Nos. 210 and 214 together.

The Framework for Junior Cycle 2015 is designed to provide students with learning opportunities that strike a better balance between learning knowledge and developing a wide range of skills and thinking abilities.  It also gives schools greater flexibility to design programmes that are suited to the needs of their Junior Cycle students and to the particular context of the school.

Implementation of the Framework is proceeding and the new subject specifications for Business Studies and Science, along with English, have now been introduced to schools. The teachers involved are benefitting from extensive continuing professional development and are availing of professional time to support implementation. English was the first subject to be taken by students as part of the reformed Junior Cycle assessment arrangements and the examination in June was well received by both teachers and students. Business Studies and Science will be examined under the new arrangements in June 2019.

Phase 3 of the Framework will begin implementation in September 2017, with the introduction of new subject specifications in Irish, Visual Arts and Modern Languages, covering French, German, Spanish and Italian. The new curriculum area of Wellbeing will also be introduced at that time.

Phase 4 will begin implementation in September 2018 with the introduction of Mathematics, Home Economics, History, Music and Geography, with the final phase 5 being implemented from September 2019. Phase 5 subjects will include Technology subjects, Religious Education, Jewish Studies and Classics.