Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

Is the Minister's primary concern that she may come under pressure from other subjects or is it, as it should be, the need to ensure a high uptake in science subjects? While I welcome investment in third and fourth level, to make this investment worthwhile we must also ensure the system functions correctly at primary and secondary level.

The Minister indicated she will keep the position under constant review. Is she prepared to make any commitments on laboratory technicians? Is she aware that certain schools have still not implemented the practical element of the junior certificate science syllabus because some of them do not have proper facilities, while others do not have sufficient time to complete the onerous task of setting up experiments? Does the Minister have plans to ensure all students take science to junior certificate level? Will she ensure all second level schools can offer the full complement of science subjects to leaving certificate level, which is not currently the position?

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