Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Minister mentioned Synge Street. It has a tradition, which is a factor but I think it is more complex than that. Many of the communities the Minister mentioned are present in Lucan too. There is disadvantage, many immigrants, and DEIS schools. I do not like to single Clondalkin out but there is a problem. Much of Clondalkin has a Revitalising Areas through Planning, Investment and Development, RAPID, programme area. There is serious, widespread disadvantage. The schools there are fantastic. Approximately ten years ago, when the Labour Party was last in government and abolished third level fees, Collinstown Park increased the number of students attending third level by 500%. The former Deputy, Brian Fleming, was the principal. There are excellent, innovative teachers there but for some reason it is not entering the Young Scientist Exhibition. We want people from disadvantaged backgrounds to take up science and mathematics and to have careers in engineering and so on. This issue needs to be addressed. It would be interesting to survey how many schools from RAPID areas go to the Young Scientist Exhibition.