Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 8: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the way she will introduce bonus points for mathematics in the leaving certificate in view of the lack of consensus among the academic councils of the seven universities in the State as to whether this should be done; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18284/10]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 23: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if a decision will be made on the introduction of bonus points in respect of higher level mathematics in time of those students entering fifth year this autumn and sitting the leaving certificate in 2012 to make an informed subject choice before they commence fifth year as recommended in the innovation task force report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18191/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 23 together.

A high level of mathematical achievement is vital for Ireland. We need to improve attainment levels in maths and encourage more students to take higher level maths. A major programme of reform in mathematics under Project Maths is under way in 24 schools. The overall aim is to teach mathematics in a way that promotes real understanding, where students can appreciate the relevance of what they are learning, its application to everyday life and how it can be used to solve problems. While Project Maths is designed to promote more positive attitudes and higher attainment in mathematics in the longer term, there is a need for a more immediate incentive that will successfully encourage more students to take higher level mathematics.

I am aware that students weigh up the time and effort versus the reward associated with taking honours maths in the context of the CAO points system. This is why I indicated that we could send a clear signal to our second level student population with the introduction of CAO bonus points for achievement in leaving certificate mathematics at higher level.

Legally, the criteria for admission to higher education institutions are matters for decision by the institutions themselves. The academic councils of these institutions determine the admission arrangements for students. I have written to the president of the Irish Universities Association, the chairman of the Institutes of Technology of Ireland and the president of the Dublin Institute of Technology asking them to give early and favourable consideration to the matter in the context of a suitably devised bonus points system that will successfully encourage more students to sit higher level maths in the leaving certificate. I look forward to their response in the matter.

I have no plans to award bonus points through the leaving certificate examination. The remit of the State Examinations Commission is to operate certificate examinations that assess and certify attainment in accordance with the learning objectives set out in the syllabus devised by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA, and the various subjects. Marks awarded are all based on published marking schemes and candidates can review their scripts. The awarded bonus points for maths unrelated to achievement would mark a departure from the long-standing practice to treat all subjects individually based on the published marking scheme with no attempt to assess weightings between subjects. Bonus points through this route would call into question the integrity of the examination system.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I am fascinated by the reply. Why did the Tánaiste raise this hare if she cannot do it? The common understanding, certainly mine, was to the effect that, if someone got 55 points in honours maths, there would be a bonus of 50% or 100%. The person would have 110 points as far as the CAO was concerned. Is the Tánaiste saying this is not possible or was it not what she meant when she made her comment, which was welcomed by most of us?

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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There are a number of issues. I firmly believe we should give young people an incentive to participate in honours mathematics.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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And points are an incentive they understand.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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They are important. However, I do not want a situation in which someone who sat a maths exam and got a B1 would move up a grade as a consequence of bonuses. It would remove the integrity of the exam.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Every maths student would move up.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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It would not mean that the child had achieved the mark. It is a matter for the universities. I have been explicit in my opinion that I wish to see bonus points for honours mathematics. It is the first recommendation in the report of the innovation task force. I have heard no dissenting voice in the House in this regard. I have explicitly asked the universities to take into consideration the recommendations of the task force and Members' opinions.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I want to allow a number of Deputies to speak.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The Tánaiste was hardly a wet week in her current job and she had plenty of ministerial experience when she endorsed a recommendation by the innovation committee that was supported by myself and many others. Surely she knew what she was saying when she said it. Since then, has her Department told her that she cannot do it in a particular way, but that there is another way to do the same thing? Are we down to the point at which we must write to seven universities to get their opinions?

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The heads of the universities are acutely aware of my opinions and those of the Government. They are also aware of the task force's recommendations. Of significant importance is that, in trying to achieve what we want and what we have been told by industry, we must have a greater acumen in mathematics and incentivise those who wish to take honours mathematics. By their nature, young people will see how best to get points. To encourage them, there should be bonus points for honours mathematics. Consideration must be given to this issue. For certain subject matters, the University of Limerick, for example, awards additional points for honour mathematics in its entry requirements. That is the independence of the university sector. I hope it will take into consideration the expressed views of all Deputies and the Government when addressing this matter. I wrote to the universities in the past ten days and am awaiting further discussions with them.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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With the greatest degree of respect to the Tánaiste, she is wrong.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I am not.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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This is a policy issue for the Government. Her predecessor opposed the argument for bonus maths points. The clear spin put about by the Tánaiste in one of her addresses to the teacher conferences was that she was in favour of bonus points. Either we have a policy or we do not. If we do, the universities will implement it. As I have suggested previously, one solution could be to apply bonus points for maths if a student goes on to do a maths or science course in any higher education institution. This is a simple CAO requirement that the Tánaiste, on a policy level, could implement were she so minded.

The proposal by the innovation task force is that bonus points should be introduced next September. In other words, it would be implemented in respect of students taking their leaving certificate exams in 2012. Will this occur, yes or no?

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Cabinet has discussed economic renewal. As Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment at the time, I expressed the view that we need to incentivise mathematics and that the best way to do so was through the awarding of bonus points.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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The then Minister for Education and Science disagreed with the Tánaiste.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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He may have done so. However, the position now is that I, as Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, am of the view that we should incentivise mathematics. It is my intention to pursue this matter vigorously.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Will it be done by 2012?

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I had only been the Department of Education and Skills for two or three days when I wrote to the heads of the relevant universities and institutes of technology in order to express my views. As a result, are now acutely aware of the nature of those views.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Will bonus point for mathematics be in place by 2012?

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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It is my intention to implement this as a matter of urgency in order that young people will have time in which to make their decisions.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Is that a "Yes"?