1140. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Education and Youth which body holds responsibility for the national coordination of citizen science provision in schools; whether her Department is notified of, or maintains any record of, science or environmental education programmes operating in schools which are funded or supported by other Government departments or State agencies; the arrangements in place for such notification; if no body holds national coordination responsibility or no cross-government notification arrangement exists, if she will confirm each position; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60686/26]

My department is not aware of any single body that holds responsibility for the national coordination of citizen science provision in schools. A range of organisations, higher education institutions, State agencies and non-governmental bodies support and promote citizen science initiatives, including activities involving schools and young people. These programmes may operate at local, regional or national level depending on their objectives.

There is no cross-government requirement for such programmes to be notified to the department before being offered to schools and therefore there is no central register retained by the department.

However, my department does work with a range of Government departments, agencies and stakeholders on matters relating to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, climate action and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). Through the National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development to 2030, and associated forums and stakeholder engagement mechanisms, information on relevant programmes and initiatives may be shared across departments and agencies.

In relation to environmental education, which forms part of ESD, a wide range of programmes are available to primary and post-primary schools, some of which receive funding from other Government departments. My department also provides funding to organisations for ESD projects under the ESD to 2030 Strategy. This funding supports the delivery of ESD in schools, teacher professional learning, and the development of teaching and learning resources.

In 2026, 27 organisations received ESD funding from my department, totalling almost €625,000. These organisations are required to submit evaluation reports on their funded projects at the end of the 2026/27 school year. Further details on ESD to 2030, including a list of all ESD funding recipients, are available on the National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development in Ireland webpage.

Responsibility for the delivery of the curriculum in schools’ rests with schools and their Boards of Management, supported by the Department and its agencies. Schools may choose to participate in a range of science, environmental and sustainability-related programmes where these are consistent with curriculum objectives and departmental guidance.

My department will continue to work with relevant departments, agencies and stakeholders to support high-quality science education and Education for Sustainable Development in schools throughout the country.