Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independents 4 Change)
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117. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the dedicated time teachers will be given to engage with, understand, implement and embed the primary curriculum framework. [14236/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Education recognises that the introduction of the Primary Curriculum Framework will require time and support for teachers and school leaders to become familiar with the contents of the framework. The need to engage at whole-school level is required in order to develop all teachers’ and school leaders’ understanding of the framework. This will be supported by the provision of professional development opportunities, and supporting materials. 

The Department of Education support services will continue to provide their suite of professional development opportunities at primary level, now drawing connection with the framework content. Discrete professional development will also be provided for each of the forthcoming curriculum area specifications in the coming years.  These will include face-to-face seminars, cluster meetings, online supports and the provision of web-based materials.

The Inspectorate will support school leaders and teachers through their supportive and advisory visits, and assist school communities in introducing the changes to teaching and learning promoted in the framework. The Inspectorate will work to support schools as they embrace the changes to pedagogy - changes that will enable children to thrive and flourish, and that will help them to realise their potential individually and also as members of communities and society.

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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118. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will consider obliging schools to print in their admission policies or other documents the exact amount of time to be spent each week on religious instruction under the forthcoming revised primary school curriculum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14341/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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In relation to school admissions, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998 and the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018.

The Education (Admission to Schools) act requires that a school’s Admission Policy must contain certain mandatory features such as an admission statement and the annual admission notice. These requirements provide information to parents on the school’s admissions processes. The admission act does not require details on the curriculum to be outlined in school’s admissions policy.