Vol. 415 No. 8
246 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Education whether there are proposals (a) to give full status to computer studies at second level (b) to give this subject examination status at junior and senior cycle and (c) to train teachers so as to ensure a full computer studies programme in all second level schools; and if he will make a statement on the position of computer studies and computer education in post-primary schools.
Computer studies is an integral part of a range of subjects at both junior certificate and leaving certificate. These include technology, business studies, technical graphics at junior certificate and engineering, construction studies and technical drawing at leaving certificate.
In addition a full syllabus in computer studies for junior pupils has been issued to schools. There is no formal examination, as yet, in this subject. At the leaving certificate level there is a computer studies option available to pupils and the Department of Education award statements to those pupils who achieve a satisfactory standard.
