Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

264. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to ensure all schools in Dublin south central are prepared and equipped for leaving cert reform especially, in STEM subjects. [62405/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am committed to Senior Cycle Redevelopment and the implementation of the programme of work involved. The redevelopment of Senior Cycle is guided by the vision of a Senior Cycle that delivers “equity and excellence for all”.

The importance of ensuring equity of access and opportunity, and adequate support to teachers and schools implementing Senior Cycle Redevelopment, across all senior cycle programmes, is a shared objective.

In September, the first tranche of new and revised Leaving Certificate Established subjects, which includes three science subjects, Biology, Chemistry and Physics, was introduced in schools for fifth year students.

A robust package of supports, including those developed through extensive negotiations with both post-primary teachers’ unions, is in place to ensure schools and teachers are fully equipped to deliver on this ambitious programme.

As part of the 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. The grant will be increased from €13 to €25 per student per (qualifying) subject. This will equate to almost €3 million in annual grants to schools. The Science Support Grant 2026 will be paid to schools in January 2026, earlier than the previous norm of a June payment date. The grant will be paid in January each year from then on.

In December 2024, details of a Science Implementation Support Grant to support schools with the rollout of revised Senior Cycle science subjects were announced. Under this grant, all schools in the free scheme received additional funding with a minimum base payment of €13,000 up to a maximum of €22,000, with a further 10% uplift in the grant level for DEIS schools. Schools were given the autonomy to use this additional funding in a way that best suits their school and apply it to their locally identified Science needs.

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.

All Phase One schools in the free scheme offering the new subjects will receive an annual Implementation Support Grant of €50 per student. Schools offering the new Drama, Film and Theatre Studies subject will be supported with the provision of the appropriate technical equipment and will have access to a streaming media service with all prescribed materials. Schools offering the new Climate Action and Sustainable Development subject will receive a once-off grant of €5,000 to establish the subject department in their school.

Additional middle management posts for schools are also part of the package of measures being introduced to support the redevelopment of Senior Cycle.

The redevelopment programme is accompanied by a robust framework of teacher professional learning (TPL) provided by Oide. Already, approximately 31,000 school leaders and teachers have received their whole-school day focused on Senior Cycle Redevelopment.

Four sample examination papers (two at Higher Level, two at Ordinary Level) in each of the Tranche 1 subjects, totalling 72 papers including Irish language versions, were published by the SEC in April 2025. This represents a much earlier provision of these resources than previous practice when new or revised specifications were introduced.

Oide provided a series of webinars focused on the sample examination papers for all Tranche 1 subjects. Those webinars, designed in collaboration with the SEC, were provided over a two-week period from April to May and attended by over 5,000 subject teachers.

A sample brief for the Additional Assessment Components (AACs) in each of the Tranche 1 subjects have been published by the SEC, and a live brief for the AACs in all relevant Tranche 1 subjects will be issued in January 2026.

Teacher professional learning on Tranche 1 subjects, which commenced in Autumn 2024, is continuing in Autumn 2025. This includes a focus on the Additional Assessment Component brief as well as sample examination papers.

Oide is also providing professional learning relevant to SCR on Transition Year and the introduction of the Level 1 and 2 Learning Programmes.

In Budget 2026, some €19 million of additional funding is being provided for the continuation of important curricular development and related teacher education. This includes support for up to 800 additional posts of responsibility, along with a range of other planned enhancements in the teaching and learning experience in our schools.

The published Budget documentation sets out funding for key measures and actions agreed for the coming year. The final allocation of funding for the Department for 2026 will be set out in the 2026 Revised Estimates Volume (REV) which is due to be published later this year. Further details on the 2026 allocations for the Department will be available after the 2026 REV process is complete.