The Junior Certificate Religious Education syllabus was published in 2000. It is offered by schools as an optional subject at Junior Certificate level.
In 2016, in excess of 27,000 students sat the examination in Religious Education (from a total cohort of approximately 60,000).
The aim of the syllabus is to provide students with a framework for encountering and engaging with the variety of religious traditions in Ireland and elsewhere and the expectation is that it is taught in this spirit.
The guidelines on teaching provided for teachers and schools states explicitly that learning and teaching should set out to promote an understanding and appreciation of why people believe, as well as tolerance and respect for the values and beliefs of all.
The guidelines also refer to the fostering of awareness that the human search for meaning is common to all peoples, of all ages and at all times. It encourages appreciation of the richness of religious traditions while acknowledging the non-religious interpretation of life.
Leaving Certificate Religious Education is also an optional subject for students. In 2016 a total of 1,320 students sat an examination in the subject.
Like its Junior Certificate equivalent, it is a broadly-based course of study focusing on the value of religious belief and on diversity and mutual respect and is of particular relevance for national and global citizenship. The subject calls on the student to explore issues such as meaning and value, the nature of morality, the development and diversity of belief, the principles of a just society, and the implications of scientific progress.
Both courses are designed to be experienced as educationally valuable and coherent programmes, independent of the dominant beliefs in the learning environment.
