How does IT2000 fit into the curriculum? Pat O'Neill of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment says a working group on the question has been set up within the NCCA.

O'Neill was appointed on September 1st as education officer for ICTs at primary and post-primary level.

"We are devising a set of guidelines for the use of ICTs at both levels," he explains.

At primary level, ICTs will be used as a cross-curricular tool, he says, while at second level they will be integrated into a number of subject areas. "We are looking at exemplars of good practice and we will make these available nationally."

At primary level, exemplars will be provided for the six areas of the curriculum, while at second level the focus will be on eight areas - languages, maths studies and applications, science and technology, social, personal and environmental education, arts education, PE, guidance counselling and pastoral care.

It is hoped that the guidelines will be available within the current academic year.

ICTs are changing so rapidly, constant review will be required, O'Neill says.

It is possible that computer studies will become a subject per se at senior cycle. The NCCA is currently looking at the "pilot project" which has been running in seven schools in the Limerick area for the past 20 years.

Students in these schools can take computer studies to Leaving Cert and use their results for points purposes for entry to third-level colleges.

Within the junior cycle, O'Neill says it is likely that a skill-based modular curriculum in ICTs will be devised. It is being looked at in the context of the junior-cycle review process.

Of course, many schools already have a module on ICTs at Transition Year. "This would put it on a national basis," he adds.