Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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16. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment was the appropriate vehicle for conducting a review of the place of history as an optional subject at junior certificate level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19721/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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I asked the NCCA to review the place of history in Junior Cycle as I believe that it is vitally important that we make every effort possible to make sure future generations learn from our past.  Events such as Brexit, the Decade of Commemorations and even the recent murder of Lyra McKee reinforce the importance of understanding our past.

The NCCA is the statutory body of my Department charged with advising the Minister in matters relating to the curriculum for early childhood education, primary and post-primary schools. As such it is the appropriate body to carry a review of the place of History in the Junior Cycle.  The NCCA Council is made up of twenty-five representatives of bodies and persons involved in the education system.

The new NCCA council met for the first time last week and I understand that it considered a draft of the history review. I look forward to receiving the report of the Council on this matter.  I will consider their report in detail before making a final decision on the place of history in junior cycle.