Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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504. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware of students and parents concerns for changes to the senior cycle in science subjects especially, the actions she is taking; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39549/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Senior Cycle Redevelopment is an ambitious programme of work which aims to enrich students’ experience Senior Cycle in a way that allows them to demonstrate a broader array of skills and competencies while reducing the pressure associated with end of year examinations.

The approach to Senior Cycle Redevelopment has, from its outset, been a collaborative one that engages actively with stakeholders and partners in education and recognises and amplifies the student voice.

Students and many other stakeholders and experts have consistently called for a revised and renewed senior cycle that meets the needs of our students, including the introduction of revised assessment practices to better reflect the many talents and abilities of our students and to spread the assessment load.

I understand with the introduction of curricular change, the importance of strong engagement so that everyone involved can feel supported to give students the best possible experience. My officials regularly engage with student representatives and have participated in several events hosted by the Irish Second Level Students Union (ISSU). Officials have engaged with parent representatives also, including appearing on the National Parents Council (NPC) podcast series to discuss Senior Cycle Redevelopment.

The Senior Cycle Redevelopment Partners’ Forum, a representative stakeholder engagement group which underpins the collaboration necessary to support the reforms, has met regularly since 2023. Membership includes representatives of students, parents, teachers, management bodies, and other relevant organisations.

This engagement builds on the consultative approach to the development of new and revised specifications, through the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, in which stakeholders are centrally involved. The NCCA also holds open and targeted consultations through which the views of stakeholders, including parents and students, can inform subject development.

In December, my Department issued payment of a Science Implementation Support Grant worth €12 million to support in the introduction of the new Tranche 1 Science specifications, with enhanced support for DEIS schools.

As part of the recently published Implementation Support Measures package, I have committed to not only effectively doubling the current Physics and Chemistry subject grant but also expanding it to cover Biology and Agricultural Science as well. This will equate to almost €3 million in annual grants to schools.

My Department will continue to support the provision of science laboratories, as required, through the school building programme. Additionally, upgrading of science laboratory facilities is a dedicated and specific works category within my Department’s climate action summer works scheme (CASWS). Applications for the CASWS recently closed on 30th June 2025.

Teachers are being supported in rolling out the revised subjects through a comprehensive professional learning programme from Oide. Already, approximately 29,000 have received their whole-school day focused on Senior Cycle Redevelopment. Subject specific cluster events, which also involve school closures, concluded at the end of January and included a second science day specifically aimed at teachers who teach a second science subject.

Oide provided further learning events focused on the sample examination papers immediately following the Easter break with over 5,000 teachers attending those sessions. Oide has already commenced its initial planning for a further day of teacher professional learning for Tranche 1 subject teachers in the autumn, which would include a focus on the AAC brief as well as sample examination papers.

My Department and I look forward to continuing close collaboration with all our stakeholders in education including students, parents, teachers and school leaders as we work together to strengthen and support Senior Cycle Redevelopment.