Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

I am concerned about the take-up of science subjects at leaving certificate level. Despite the fact that we have invested quite heavily in resources, such as the summer work scheme, under which a number of schools will upgrade their science laboratories, there is a drop in the take-up of science subjects at leaving certificate from the healthy levels found at junior certificate level. The drop in the take-up of science subjects at third level is even more significant. Our economy urgently needs people to continue with science through to third level and postgraduate level.

There has been a slight improvement in participation rates in science subjects in the leaving certificate in recent years. In 2005, 14.7% of students studied physics, which represents an increase on the 2002 figure, 13.6% of students studied chemistry, which represents an increase on previous levels, and 46.9% of students studied biology, which represents an increase of over 3.5% on the previous year. We appear, therefore, to have halted the decline in the take-up of science subjects but it is important that we encourage more students to study them.

I have read about difficulties people were experiencing with the science syllabus, which support teams in the Department are trying to resolve.

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