Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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373. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps she is taking to support the roll-out of computer science as a leaving certificate subject. [57391/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Leaving Certificate Computer Science has been available nationally as an optional subject since September 2020. As was outlined in the publication 'Returning to school - Guidance on learning and school programmes for post-primary school leaders and teachers', published on www.gov.ie/backtoschool, schools that had earlier indicated they wished to introduce this subject from September 2020 were offered the option to defer implementation, in light of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

If a school chooses to defer implementation, it may offer the subject from September 2021 and avail of the relevant continuing professional development (CPD) at that stage, provided by the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST).

Where schools have decided to continue with the implementation of this new subject, the PDST will continue to provide supports on request. Schools can in this regard apply at pdst.ie/schoolsupport.