Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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283. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on the introduction of drama, film, and theatre studies as a second level school subject; if additional resources have been made available to participating schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62619/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, the new Leaving Certificate Drama, Film and Theatre Studies subject was introduced this September ìn the fifty-seven schools that successfully applied to become Phase One schools. This phased approach allows schools to be supported in the introduction of the new subject and for reflection on the effectiveness of those supports as more schools subsequently offer the subject.

My Department has completed a procurement process for the provision of film production equipment to the fifty-seven Phase One Schools. The framework concerned consists of two lots; Video and Audio Recording and associated services (Lot 1), and Audio and Lighting Equipment and associated services (Lot 2). Under this framework, all Phase One schools are being provided with the necessary technical equipment to establish the subject in their school, including cameras, microphones, and lighting equipment.

Before the Summer break, Oide (the teacher professional learning support service) provided training to Phase One school teachers of the subject on the use of the equipment that is being supplied, and the suppliers are committed as part of the contracts to provide further training related support to Oide.

Schools were advised of the specific resources available to them in Circular 0064/2025 and that they should place orders with the framework suppliers by 12th September 2025. Schools began to receive their equipment in the week immediately following this. All Phase One schools have now received their camera equipment under Lot 1 of the framework. The Lot 2 supplier has commenced delivery to schools, including providing the audio mixer racks fully assembled for schools, and has advised the Department that deliveries should be complete by the end of the month.

In addition to the provision of technical equipment, all Phase One schools in the free education scheme will be provided with an annual Drama, Film, and Theatre Studies Implementation Support grant of €50 per student to support engagement with the new subject in the 2025/26 school year.

The grant provided is to be used by schools to support students with attendance at performances and the applied creative tasks. Eligible costs include, but are not limited to:

• Travel and subsistence costs directly associated with attendance at performances
• Ticket costs
• Costume and prop costs associated with individual student artistic works

Additionally, Phase One Schools have been provided with a free subscription to the Drama Online National Theatre Collection 2 in order to access prescribed materials. This subscription means Phase One schools now have unlimited access on site and remotely to live theatre recordings from the National Theatre and tools and resources to support teaching and learning.

In October 2024, Oide held the first professional learning events for Phase One schools. A subsequent live webinar introduced teachers to the aims and rationale of the DFTS specification. A two-day residential followed aimed at supporting teachers to deepen their understanding of the specification, explore its classroom application, and collaborate on ensemble-driven creative work. In term 2 of the 2024/25 school year, collaborative events and a second professional learning event took place focusing on the three interconnected strands of the subject through the lens of filmmaking. In Term 3 of last year Oide provided online sessions on the sample examination papers published by the State Examinations Commission in April. Combined, for the academic year 2024/25, these events recorded a total of 916 teacher interactions. Full-day in-person Professional Learning Events have been taking place this term since 6th October 2025 and will continue until January 2026?.

As indicated at the time of the Call for Applications from schools to become Phase One schools, Phase One schools are being provided with an additional teaching allocation of 0.2 WTE teacher per school (four hours) in the 2025/26 school year, rising to 0.4 WTE (eight hours) in the 2026/27 school year to facilitate the introduction of the subjects. The allocation is not dependent on the size of a class group.

The Department will continue to work with our education partners and the Phase One schools to ensure the schools have the resources necessary to meet the learning outcomes of the subject.

Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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284. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on the introduction of climate action and sustainable development as a second level school subject; if additional resources have been made available to participating schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62620/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Senior Cycle redevelopment programme provides for the introduction of two new Leaving Certificate subjects; Climate Action and Sustainable Development (CASD) and Drama, Film and Theatre Studies; in Phase One schools for fifth years from September 2025.

Both subjects are now being taught in the relevant selected Phase One schools. This phased approach, which is line with the introduction of previous new subjects, allows schools to be supported in the introduction of the new subject and for reflection on the effectiveness of those supports as more schools subsequently offer the subject.

With regards to Climate Action and Sustainable Development, Circular 0063/2025 outlines the resources being provided to the CASD Phase One schools and the process for payment of grants. This was circulated to the relevant post primary schools and includes the following supports:

• All Phase One schools to be provided with appropriate technical resources required to establish the new subject department in their school (this once off €5,000 grant has now been paid to schools).
• As indicated at the time of the Call for Applications from schools to become Phase One schools, Phase One schools are being provided with an additional teaching allocation of 0.2 WTE teacher per school (four hours) in the 2025/26 school year, rising to 0.4 WTE (eight hours) in the 2026/27 school year to facilitate the introduction of the subject. The allocation is not dependent on the size of a class group.
• As the specification provides the opportunity for place-based visits and outdoor learning for students Phase One schools are being provided with an annual grant, taking account of the number of students, for the 2025/26 and 2026/27 school years. This comprises of €50 per student per year to support engagement with the new subject in the 2025/26 school year.
• Oide, the teacher professional support service, commenced a comprehensive programme of teacher professional learning for subject teachers in the last school year which included a combination of in-person and online provision.

The Senior Cycle Redevelopment Implementation Support Measures document published last May contains a package of measures designed to support the implementation of the Senior Cycle Redevelopment programme more broadly in schools and the related curriculum development, assessment, and teacher professional learning processes.

The Department will continue to work with our education partners and the Phase One schools to ensure the schools have the resources necessary to meet the learning outcomes of the subject.