Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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215. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will address a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29652/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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A specification for the new Leaving Certificate Computer Science (LCCS) subject was introduced on a phased basis in September 2018, to be offered by schools as an additional optional subject. The subject is available for national rollout from September 2020.

The structure of the LCCS specification and the nature of the assessment components, as summarised below, does require that the programme is delivered, and the practical components completed, in a school setting under the supervision of the teacher delivering the programme in that school. Otherwise, the required coursework authentication steps cannot be met. The subject consists of:

- a final examination consisting of a paper-based element and a computer-based element worth 70% of the marks. Schools will be required to facilitate all students using computers simultaneously for the purpose of the Leaving Certificate examination;

- a practical coursework project to be completed under the supervision of the class teacher, worth 30% of the marks.

All components will be assessed externally.

Where a coursework element is involved the State Examinations Commission (SEC) has strict conditions in place for completion to ensure the authentication of all aspects of the coursework, its conduct and reporting, as being wholly the work of the candidate. These requirements in respect of the oversight and authentication of the execution of the project and preparation of the report must be met in fullfor the coursework element to be accepted for marking by the State Examinations Commission.