Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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533. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the fact that some secondary schools require first-year students to choose their subjects for second year in the coming weeks despite the fact students have not physically been in school since December, and some students are yet to experience subjects in person given that schools offer certain subjects before and after Christmas; if she plans to address this issue given that the situation makes it much more difficult for students to choose the correct subjects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13148/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Subject choices are a matter for the individual schools depending on resources available. The programme that each school plans and delivers should be based on my Department's approved specifications, and the teaching hours should be registered on the school timetable.

The Department of Education does not have the authority to dictate to schools regarding what subjects are offered. Schools are generally privately managed institutions which, although largely funded by the State, are relatively autonomous. Any issue with the subject choice being offered would have to be addressed to the principal of the school in question, and/or the Board of Management.