Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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50. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to develop a level 1 and level 2 learning programme for senior cycle students; when such a programme is expected to be in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61098/22]

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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55. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when three levels will be in place for the leaving certificate, as is the case with the junior certificate (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61147/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 50 and 55 together.

The Deputy will be aware that earlier this year I announced an ambitious programme of work for a reimagined Senior Cycle of education where the student is at the centre of their Senior Cycle experience which will:

- Empower students to meet the challenges of the 21st century

- Enrich the student experience and build on what’s strong in our current system

- Embed wellbeing and reduce student stress levels

The redeveloped Senior Cycle will involve the creation and development of more flexible learning pathways within school.

The approach to Senior Cycle redevelopment is ambitious, optimistic and inclusive. Senior Cycle redevelopment will ensure that the diversity of students’ learning needs and strengths are addressed and that all learning pathways in school are accessible and equally valued. It will broaden the ways used to assess and accredit students’ achievement, to better reflect and encourage the learning we wish to promote.

In a redeveloped Senior Cycle, real opportunities to progress, consolidate and transfer learning should be available for students of Level 1 and Level 2 Learning Programmes, for those who can currently access these programmes at Junior Cycle.

I have requested that the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) develop follow-on programmes for students studying Level 1 and Level 2 Learning Programmes (L1/L2LPs) in Junior Cycle as they progress to Senior Cycle.

To commence this process, NCCA has recently completed a review of the L1/L2LPs in Junior Cycle, during which it also sought to learn more from schools about their curriculum provision for students in Senior Cycle who followed L1/L2LPs in Junior Cycle. The findings of the review will inform the work of the Post Primary Special Education Development Group which is tasked with the development of follow-on Senior Cycle modules for students progressing from Level 1 and Level 2 Learning Programmes.

These modules will be student-centred and age-, peer- and learning needs appropriate and contribute to students’ intellectual, social and personal growth and maturity. It is expected that the development of the modules will be completed by autumn 2024.