I want to take this opportunity to thank Laura, who has been doing work experience of my office, for today’s question. She, like many other transition year, TY, students in my constituency in Donegal, and indeed across the country, are very concerned about leaving certificate reform. On 29 March 2022, the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, announced a plan for major reform of the leaving certificate from 2024 onwards. This will mean students will be starting the new course this coming September.

However, since making this announcement, minimal information has been given to students and teachers about that new course. It is not fair for students to be given information about new course changes while they are at the same time preparing for their leaving certificate. I ask the Minister when will students and teachers be given sufficient information about the leaving certificate reform. Will the Minister ensure this is done in a timely manner?

I thank Deputy Pringle for his question and Laura for its preparation. This is a matter which is obviously of great interest to those in secondary school and to those who will be coming up to do the leaving certificate. The Minister, Deputy Foley, and her Department have been actively engaged. We have made quite significant reforms to both the junior certificate cycle and, indeed, the leaving certificate cycle just in the past year.

On the examination process and how that is working through, I will relay the points raised by the Deputy and by Laura to the Minister, Deputy Foley, for her to come back to them with a full update on the progress made.