John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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226. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has examined introducing computer science as a junior certificate subject; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3272/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The implementation of the new Junior Cycle which is well underway brings a renewed focus on ensuring that all students are engaged and making progress in accordance with their potential.

A short course on Coding developed by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) is available to schools to implement as part of their Junior Cycle programme. The course aims to develop the student’s ability to formulate problems logically, to design, write and test code, to develop games, apps, animations and websites and, through these learning activities, to learn about computer science.

In broader terms the design of the new Junior Cycle identifies eight skills that are key to learning in every area of Junior Cycle and beyond and which are embedded in the learning outcomes of every Junior Cycle subject. One of these key skills is 'managing information and thinking', elements of which include: gathering, recording, organising and evaluating information and data; thinking creatively and critically; and using digital technology to access, manage and share content. Other elements linked to creative and computational thinking are also detailed under additional key skills areas.

The Deputy will be aware that I have accelerated plans to implement Computer Science as a new Leaving Certificate subject. Under the first phase of its introduction the new subject will be introduced to students in 40 schools from September of this year.