NCCA advises the Minister for Education on curriculum and assessment for early childhood education, for primary and post-primary schools. As part of the broader redevelopment of senior cycle, it is envisaged that a revised specification for Leaving Certificate Computer Science will be introduced in schools from September 2027. The Development Group for Leaving Certificate Computer Science will have a key role in this work. The group includes nominees of the education partners and other key education agencies.
Below you will find information on the subject development work including the background paper and brief for the review for this subject, and a note from each of the development group meetings.
Current Stage
Stage 7
Consultation on the Draft Curriculum Specification
The public consultation on the draft Curriculum Specification opens between 01 October and 26 November, 2025.Subject Timeline
This timeline shows all the steps involved in the development of this subject specification. It indicates which stages have already been completed, which stages are yet to be undertaken and which stage is currently the active stage.
Stage 7 - Consultation on the Draft Curriculum Specification
Subject Timeline
Early Enactment Review
The report on the early enactment review presents an overview of the consultation conducted as part of the review, followed by a summary of the findings. Based on the findings from the review, the report concludes with key insights and recommendations for modifications to the specification.
Stage 7 - Consultation on the Draft Curriculum Specification
Subject Timeline
Early Enactment Review Process
Early Enactment Review Process
This early enactment review of LCCS was completed in Q4, 2022 to gather feedback and explore:
- how the curriculum is being enacted and how it could be improved
- the student experience of learning and assessment
- how teachers are working with the curriculum.
Stage 7 - Consultation on the Draft Curriculum Specification
Subject Timeline
Report on the Early Enactment Review
The report on the early enactment review presents an overview of the consultation conducted as part of the review, followed by a summary of the findings. Based on the findings from the review, the report concludes with key insights and recommendations for modifications to the specification.
Stage 7 - Consultation on the Draft Curriculum Specification
Subject Timeline
Publication of updated specification
The updated specification was introduced to schools offering Leaving Certificate Computer Science from September 2023.
10 Oct 2025 - 30 Nov 2025
Stage 7 - Consultation on the Draft Curriculum Specification
Subject Timeline
Development Group convened
The Development Group was convened on 30 September, 2024 and is due to complete its work by September, 2026.
Stage 7 - Consultation on the Draft Curriculum Specification
Subject Timeline
Draft Curriculum Specification developed and published
The Development Group prepare a draft curriculum specification. The Draft Curriculum Specification is published following discussion at Board and approval by Council.
Stage 7 - Consultation on the Draft Curriculum Specification
Subject Timeline
Consultation on the Draft Curriculum Specification
The public consultation on the draft Curriculum Specification opens between 01 October and 26 November, 2025.
1 Oct 2025 - 26 Nov 2025
Stage 7 - Consultation on the Draft Curriculum Specification
Subject Timeline
Report on Consultation on Draft Curriculum Specification
The Report on the Consultation on the Draft Curriculum Specification has been approved by both the Board and Council and is published online. The Development Group use the findings from the Report on the Draft Specification to finalise the Specification.
Stage 7 - Consultation on the Draft Curriculum Specification
Subject Timeline
Final Curriculum Specification approved by Council
The final Curriculum Specification is discussed by the Board and approved by Council before it can be sent to the Minister of Education and Youth for final approval.
Stage 7 - Consultation on the Draft Curriculum Specification
Subject Timeline
Ministerial approval and publication
The specification has been approved by the Minister and is available on curriculumonline.ie
Stage 7 - Consultation on the Draft Curriculum Specification
Subject Timeline
Guidelines to support the Additional Assessment Component published
The AAC Guidelines are developed by NCCA in conjunction with the State Examinations Commission and supported by the Department of Education and Youth, Oide and teacher focus groups.
Stage 7 - Consultation on the Draft Curriculum Specification
- Subject Development 2024 - 2026
- Development Group Meetings: Short descriptions
- Early Enactment Review 2022 - 2023
- Development 2017 - 2018
- Research
The Draft Specification for Leaving Certificate Computer Science was approved for public consultation. The consultation period ran from Wednesday, 1st of October 2025 until Wednesday, 26th of November 2025.
Draft Specification for Leaving Certificate Computer Science
Report on the early enactment review of Leaving Certificate Computer Science 2022-2023.
Report on the early enactment review of Leaving Certificate Computer Science
The development group for Leaving Certificate Computer Science was convened on September 30th, 2024. This group will progress the development of a new specification guided by a brief and the findings from research across other jurisdictions.
Short descriptions of meetings that have taken place so far can be accessed below.
Development Group Meeting 1: September 30, 2024
Development Group Meeting 2: October 23, 2024
Development Group Meeting 3: November 20, 2024
Development Group Meeting 4: December 10, 2024
Development Group Meeting 5: January 13, 2025
Development Group Meeting 6: February 13, 2025
Development Group Meeting 7: March 25, 2025
Development Group Online Meeting 8: May 8, 2025
Development Group Meeting 9: November 27, 2025
Development Group Meeting 10: December 10, 2025
An early enactment review was scheduled to be undertaken by NCCA when the first cohort of students had completed the course but this plan was suspended in March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It was not possible to commence the review until the 2022-23 school year, when students had completed the curriculum and assessment arrangements as set out in the curriculum specification.
This early enactment review of LCCS was completed in Q4, 2022 to gather feedback and explore:
- how the curriculum is being enacted and how it could be improved
- the student experience of learning and assessment
- how teachers are working with the curriculum.
The report on the early enactment review presents an overview of the consultation conducted as part of the review, followed by a summary of the findings. Based on the findings from the review, the report concludes with key insights and recommendations for modifications to the specification.
The updated specification was introduced to schools offering Leaving Certificate Computer Science from September 2023.
LCCS Subject Brochure and information videos
A subject information brochure for the national rollout of Leaving Certificate Computer Science can be used to inform and assist school communities in navigating through the Leaving Certificate Computer Science course.
In September 2019, six phase 1 schools, in conjunction with NCCA, created videos to inform and advise schools starting out on Leaving Certificate Computer Science in the national rollout. The videos are intended for students, teachers and principals. They are also suitable for informing the school community about the subject in general and also about a particular main theme indicated below.
| School | Sector | Main Theme |
| Abbey Vocational School, Donegal |
ETB | Student Voice (Real world applications) |
| Coláiste Bríde, Dublin |
Voluntary Secondary | How CS changes your thinking |
| Coláiste Na Ríochta, Kerry |
ETB | Making CS work for your school |
| Mount Temple Comprehensive, Dublin |
Community and Comprehensive | How CS changes your thinking |
| Presentation Secondary School, Tipperary |
Voluntary Secondary | Computer Science - beyond coding |
| St. Eunan's College, Donegal |
Voluntary Secondary | Classroom Collaboration |
Coláiste Bríde information video for schools introducing CS as part of the national rollout
Colaiste Bride Clondalkin Info Video for national rollout schools
Abbey Vocational School information video for schools introducing CS as part of the national rollout
Abbey VS Donegal Info Video for schools introducing CS
Coláiste na Ríochta information video for schools introducing CS as part of the national rollout
Coláiste na Ríochta information video for national rollout
Saint Eunan's College information video for schools introducing CS as part of the national rollout
Saint Eunan's College Letterkenny information video for national rollout
Mount Temple Comprehensive information video for schools introducing CS as part of the national rollout
Mount Temple Comprehensive Clontarf information video for schools introducing CS in the national rollout
Presentation Secondary School Clonmel information video for schools introducing CS as part of the national rollout
Presentation Secondary School Clonmel information video for schools participating in national rollout
Phase 1 Launch and Press Release
5th February 2018 saw the launch date for Computer Science, in the Alexander Hotel in Dublin. In conjunction with the official launch that morning, NCCA and PDST provided initial CPD to all 40 Phase 1 schools in the afternoon session.
View the Department of Education and Skills press release publishing the list of 40 Phase 1 schools and announcing that students in the Phase 1 schools will begin studying Computer Science in September 2018.
Subject Development Group
To provide a strong, representative and responsive basis for its curriculum and development work the NCCA has established development groups to undertake specific tasks in subjects. The Computer Science Development Group consisted of the nominees from a range of education stakeholders including teacher and management bodies, Department of Education and Skills, and the State Examinations Commission. View a short description of all development group meetings which took place from March to October 2017.
A new Leaving Certificate Computer Science subject was introduced, on a phased basis, to schools in September 2018.
The curriculum specification was approved in December 2017, and the official launch of the subject took place on the 5th February 2018. Professor Brendan Tangney gave the keynote address and Minister Richard Bruton officially launched the subject. A subject brochure was distributed at the launch, outlining key aspects of the course.
2019 The NCCA commissioned research into factors affecting the assessment of Leaving Certificate Computer Science through a computer-based examination. The paper can be accessed through the link below:
2016 To inform the development, NCCA commissioned research on the international provision of computer science at upper second level. The report on that research can be accessed by following the link:
Report on the provision of Computer Science at Upper Second Level Internationally