Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

586. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 533 of 10 March 2021, if a full and comprehensive reply will be provided (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16709/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Under section 7 of the Education Act 1998, it is the responsibility of the Minister to determine national education policy. Section 23 of the Education Act 1998 states that the functions of a Principal of a recognised school include having responsibility for the day to day management of the school, including guidance and direction of the teachers and other staff of the school.

The Department of Education has no role in the scheduling of classes in schools beyond mandating the amount of instruction time which must be allocated to each subject. There are currently no plans for my Department to further regulate this aspect of school administration.

Only Irish, English, Mathematics and History (some exceptions for History apply in the case of students with special educational needs) are mandatory for study at Junior Cycle. Provision of all other subjects 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. 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.