Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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240. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will confirm the details of the assessment processes in place for approving children’s books to be made available in public libraries and school curriculums; if there is a forum where parents can make submissions on books already approved or to be approved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10694/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Education does not have any remit with regards to availability of books in public libraries. 

In relation to the curriculum, it is the current policy of the Department of Education to not endorse or promote any particular programme, product or publication to support the teaching of subjects. There are a small number of exceptions where the department has procured textbooks or resources in order to fill a need.  There is no obligation for a school to use any particular textbook or programme in their delivery of the curriculum.  Apart from a small number of prescribed texts at post-primary, determined by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA), the decisions on which textbooks, programmes and products to use in primary and post-primary schools are taken at school level.

In terms of the content, the Department of Education does not have a role in approving, commissioning, sponsoring or endorsing any content in any educational product. The Curriculum specification and prescribed syllabus material are determined by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) www.ncca.ie and it is the responsibility of each individual school to select the resources that it will use to support its implementation of the curriculum.

In relation to the prescription of texts, prescribed text list working groups are convened by the NCCA Education Officer for the subject in question. The rationale for the approach taken towards the generation of text lists is that it is a highly deliberative and time-intensive process. Participation in the group is on a voluntary basis. In general, the group comprises teachers, third level lecturers, staff from relevant support services/support agencies and experts in children’s and young adult literature. In selecting texts, the prescribed text list working groups are informed and guided by ‘Criteria for the Selection of Texts’, which aims to achieve a balance between classic and contemporary texts; Irish and non-Irish authorship; seeks gender balance in authorship and representation; embraces diversity and inclusion; accessibility of texts; general suitability and comparative potential.

Achieving a balanced list of texts remains a challenging and worthwhile endeavour and work continues to create a broadly balanced, diverse and inclusive list. The NCCA regularly receives recommendations and advice about texts for consideration and inclusion in courses. Parents, teachers, and students can make suggestions through an online form, which can be accessed on the NCCA website (curriculumonline.ie). All submissions are considered by the relevant text list group as they review and update the selection of texts for subsequent groups of students.