Dr. Martin Gormley:

To give some ad hoc figures, in Donegal ETB we have 15 post-primary schools. Five of them now are studying computer science at leaving certificate level. That does not just happen. There has to be a culture and something has to happen down in the lower years, in the junior cycle, with regard to coding and digital technology. It has to happen with subjects like engineering, wood technology and applied technology. The students who are studying these subjects are feeding the senior cycle. You have to have it at the junior cycle in order to feed the senior cycle. Those are just some figures. There are 15 post-primary schools and five of them are now offering computer science at leaving certificate level. It is obviously having an effect there. The schools competing in the VEX Robotics competition the Deputy referred to there are the schools that are running the computer science classes. They have links with the local Atlantic Technological University, which provides the continuing professional development, CPD, for the teachers to deliver it at senior cycle. There is a very strong link there. This is an example of something that is happening in this area. There are also progression routes in the further education and training space for STEM subjects with post-leaving certificate courses and traineeships. We are looking at the minute at providing the first year of the laboratory technician course, nursing studies and engineering within the ETB and then progressing to university. It is another way of getting people involved in STEM who might not necessarily have the points initially. It is just another initiative to try to increase participation at that level.