Ms Claire McGee:

I thank the committee for the opportunity. While the conversation has been very much focused on STEM, we also need to reflect on the engagement with the humanities and the interplay between the two. It is really important that we do not overprioritise one area and then as a result underinvest in another area. Some of the challenges that STEM-related industries are going to face in the future will be around regulations. They are not necessarily going to be solved by scientists. They will be solved by social scientists and people with experience in the arts and humanities. Any discussion on the future of STEM education in Ireland will probably have to be viewed through that lens.

One of the Deputies raised the European Year of Skills 2023. There is a huge opportunity there for Ireland and, in particular, for this committee. We would all probably be very happy to come back again and to have a further conversation on that. Members of the committee saw how we all had a very clear consensus on the need for lifelong learning. We may have another opportunity to engage with the committee on that in the future. I think that would be very helpful.