asked the Minister for Education if religion is to be introduced as a subject for the Leaving Certificate; if so, when; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
377.
Written Answers. - Leaving Certificate Examination Course.
376.
asked the Minister for Education if he will state, in relation to the introduction of religion in the leaving certificate examination, (1) if there will be a higher paper as well as an ordinary paper (2) the consultations which his officials have had or are having with interested persons and religious authorities (3) if the course will be intended for study in common to a number of religions; and, if so, which religions.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions 376 and 377 together.
Proposals have been received from the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of Ireland to have Religious Studies recognised as an examination subject at leaving certificate level. My Department has indicated agreement, in principle, with these proposals. A preliminary draft syllabus prepared by the Roman Catholic authorities has been circulated to the representatives of other churches and discussions on it are taking place at present. I will not be in a position to give the specific information sought in the Deputy's questions until these discussions have been completed and the matter has then been considered by a syllabus committee set up by the Department in the normal way in connection with the programme for secondary schools.