Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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758.To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the pathway which she has mapped out for the reform of the Leaving Certificate; and the timescale for each significant milestone planned. [32407/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, in March 2022, I announced an ambitious programme of work for a reimagined Senior Cycle of education. I have set out a clear vision for the redevelopment of all Senior Cycle programmes, including the Leaving Certificate Established (LCE), the Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA), Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP) and Transition Year (TY) programmes.

Recognising the need for strong implementation structures to support this complex programme, I established the Senior Cycle Redevelopment Programme Delivery Board with responsibility for overseeing Senior Cycle redevelopment work in February 2023. An extensive programme of work and a dedicated Senior Cycle Redevelopment Programme Management Office has been established to manage the programme and the actions required to achieve my vision. To further support this work and to recognise the importance of partnership, the Partners’ Forum was established.

Since September 2022, LCA students have had improved access to Leaving Certificate Established LCE Mathematics and Modern Foreign Languages, broadening the options for LCA students in their future paths beyond Senior Cycle. Students following the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme are now able to access the link modules without the need to meet the subject specific criteria or the modern European language requirements.

I was pleased to announce the acceleration of the programme in September 2023. The NCCA has now published an accelerated schedule which provides a clear pathway for the revision of all Leaving Certificate subjects and modules in five annual tranches from 2025 to 2029 ( .

Progress is well underway to introduce the first tranche of revised and new subjects (Arabic, Ancient Greek, Latin, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Business Studies, Drama, Film and Theatre Studies, and Climate Action and Sustainable Development) in schools from the start of the 2025/26 school year. The two new subjects will be introduced on a phased basis to a limited number of schools from the 2025/2026 school year following a successful Call for Applications process in April 2024.

Subject Development Groups (SDGs) for the development of revised specifications for subjects in Tranche 2, which will be introduced in schools from the start of the 2026/27 school year, have already been convened and commenced working on draft new specifications. The NCCA is also currently preparing to convene SDGs for subjects in Tranche 3.

Oide is preparing to deliver teacher professional learning for 2024/2025 school year, one year ahead of the revised Tranche 1 subjects and programmes being introduced to all schools and for the Leaving Certificate subjects to be available for those entering fifth year in 2025.

The redevelopment programme includes a new Transition Year (TY) Programme Statement to replace the current TY Guidelines for Schools. This new Programme Statement is being finalised. Schools have been advised that over the 2024/25 school year, all schools will have the opportunity to audit their current Transition Year programme and revise it where necessary in line with the TY Programme Statement. I have also asked my officials to explore with school leaders how we can make TY available to all students who wish to participate in the TY programme.

A new and much needed dimension to Senior Cycle will be a new Programme Statement for Senior Cycle Level 1 and Level 2 Learning Programmes (SCL1/L2LPs). The introduction of Senior Cycle L1/L2LPs shortly will provide enhanced options so that students can follow the pathways that are most appropriate to their needs. The Programme Statement for the Senior Cycle Learning Programmes Level 1 (SCL1LP) and Level 2 (SCL2LP) and associated modules are being finalised.

This significant and accelerated progress across the entire breadth of our Senior Cycle programmes means that we are now delivering on the ambition of a more inclusive Senior Cycle that recognises the many talents of our students, and ensures they have the kind of 21st Century education needed to bring those talents to bear as they make their way in the world of work and beyond.