Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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464. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to extend the uptake of computer science as a leaving certificate option in as many schools as possible; if there is a team working on developing requirements in terms of equipment and the upskilling of staff needed to deliver same; the extent to which Ireland’s base of leading-edge information and communications technology companies are playing a role in the planning and delivery of these ambitions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9666/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The new subject of Leaving Certificate Computer Science (LCCS) was introduced on a phased basis to 40 schools in September 2018. From September 2020, LCCS was available to schools nationally as a full optional subject. The numbers of schools offering the subject is growing. There are currently approximately 145 schools across the country offering this subject to their students.

The approach to the provision of the subject by schools has been informed by the valuable learning gathered from the phased introduction of the subject since September 2018.

Uniquely, this also included a Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Discover funded research project to track the development of progress of teachers of the subject during the first two years of the subject rollout. A Department led group was formed to assist in, and have oversight of, this research study and its findings.

The introduction of this new subject to schools is supported by a Leaving Certificate Computer Science Support Framework. This framework represents a collaboration between the Department of Education, IBEC, the Computers in Education Society of Ireland (CESI), the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST), the Irish Universities Association (IUA), higher education institutions, Ibec, the Technological Higher Education Association (THEA) and SOLAS.

The framework puts in place key actions to promote a broad take-up of the subject at both ordinary and higher level. There is a focus on actions to support greater female participation and greater participation amongst students who would not have traditionally considered subjects like Computer Science for the Leaving Certificate.

For schools who are considering the introduction of LCCS onto their curriculum an “Expression of Interest” process is currently being carried out by the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) to ascertain teachers’ professional learning needs so as to support the effective delivery of the new subject in schools.

My Department has issued over €250m under the ICT grant directly to schools since 2016, which underpins the implementation of the embedding of digital technologies in all classroom and school activity, and supports the building of digital skills in the student population. As outlined in the circulars accompanying this grant, this funding can assist schools in the implementation of STEM subjects, of new and revised subject specifications at Junior and Senior Cycle, and the changes to the primary curriculum, where the use of digital technologies enables the delivery of same.

Partnership with business and industry in sustaining the growth of Computer Science is central to the operation of this Framework. Business and industry can contribute to enhancing opportunities for students to access high-quality information and experience in relation to careers in Computer Science. These take the form of school visits by relevant personnel, input to careers evenings, participation in co-curricular and extracurricular events. Engagement of business and industry representatives with teachers of computer science through buddy systems, teacher internships etc. will also be hugely important.

All of these supports have been designed to ensure there is capacity within the system for long-term, sustainable growth of Leaving Certificate Computer Science.