To ask the Minister of Education to detail any steps he will take to establish who should have a role in the drafting group for the new Religious Education curriculum.

I have put in place a comprehensive and transparent process for revising the Religious Education (RE) Core Syllabus. My Department has launched an open expression‑of‑interest process, inviting applications from experienced practitioners across all schools in Northern Ireland. This open process is designed to attract a range of applicants from across school sectors, who can provide their subject knowledge and classroom experience to the drafting process. Applications will be assessed against the agreed essential criteria.

Alongside this, there will be extensive wider engagement. The specific approach is a matter for the Review Chair, Professor Noel Purdy OBE, but engagement will include an open call for evidence, public surveys, and focus group discussions involving children, young people, parents, and a wide range of other stakeholders. The process will culminate in a full public consultation.