1141. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the timeline for the development of a successor to the STEM Education Policy Statement; whether citizen-generated data, digital fieldwork and the use of geographic information systems by students are within the scope of that development; the body responsible for the consultation process, its planned opening and closing dates and the process for making submissions; if no timeline, scope or consultation arrangements have yet been approved, if she will confirm each position; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60687/26]

My department continues to implement the STEM Education Policy Statement 2017-2026 and the actions in the Implementation Plan to 2026.

Work is currently commencing in relation to the development and publication of a successor policy statement/strategy in relation to STEM education beyond 2026. The development process will include both research informing the drafting and a consultation process prior to finalisation.

Consequently, I am not in a position at this time to confirm whether specific areas such as citizen-generated data, digital fieldwork, or the use of geographic information systems by students will form part of the scope of the development process. These and other emerging areas will, however, be considered in the first instance as part of the research phase.

My department will continue to monitor developments in STEM education and will consider emerging educational priorities, technological advances and stakeholder perspectives as part of any future policy development process.