asked the Minister for Education if he will permit every post-primary school to provide a four-year intermediate certificate course if the school management should decide that all or some of the students would be likely to benefit from the extra year.

The Rules and Programme for Secondary Schools prescribes that a pupil must follow an approved course of not less than three years' duration for the purpose of admission to the intermediate certificate examination. I do not have in mind an amendment to such requirement at the present time.

Available accommodation and other resources would not permit of the adoption of a proposal as set out in the question from the Deputy.

I am sure the Minister is aware that voluntary secondary schools are permitted to have a course run over four years but that that permission is not available for community and vocational schools. Would the Minister consider giving school management boards the authority to run a four-year course if some or all of their students would benefit from such a course?

There are two separate aspects to this question. The first is what should be required of schools as a minimum, and that is specified. The second is what the schools may choose to do. As the Deputy points out, a number of schools provide a four-year course for their pupils. There is nothing in the regulations to prevent schools which can do so making this additional provision. In so far as a requirement laid down by the Department is concerned, we would have to look at the financial and other implications of a decision to add an extra year.

Could the Minister say if the examination of this question and the possible introduction of a further year in the senior cycle, which was being carried out in conjunction with the establishment of an independent curriculum and examination board, are still continuing in the Department?

Yes, there are a number of reviews going on in the Department. I am happy to continue any examination of the curriculum and other arrangements at post-primary level.