Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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162. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide a full report on the recent discussions that her Department has been having in relation to reform of the leaving certificate; the timeline for changes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57330/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy may be aware that between 2016 and 2020, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) undertook an extensive review of senior cycle programmes and vocational pathways. The NCCA’s Advisory Report on the Senior Cycle has been submitted to my Department for consideration and will be published once that consideration process is complete. I am aware of the desire in the education community and more generally for that to happen but we must complete our consideration of the Report. I am focusing on what the implementation of the Report would involve and what we can do to best ensure the further evolution of Senior Cycle.

As the consideration of the Advisory Report has continued my officials have had some contacts with officials in the NCCA and SEC to ensure there is a clarity of understanding on some matters identified in the Report. I have had a considerable number of briefing sessions and meetings with relevant officials in my Department as our consideration of the NCCA Advisory Report has continued.

In addition, I recently attended an NCCA Council meeting to thank the Council and acknowledge its work in developing the Advisory Report. I also opened the recent Joint Managerial Body Conference, the theme of which was a “Senior Cycle for All”, and at which Senior Cycle reform was discussed.