Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)

The Tánaiste is here now and I would be interested in hearing her reply to the question I will now pose.

On 24 July 2008, the Tánaiste stated, "I am not the Minister for Education, but we must incentivise maths and science. The science agenda and the skills agenda are uppermost in my mind." In her previous position as Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, she rightly highlighted the importance of science and the connection between science and the new economy. However, on the first day she is due to answer questions in this House she, through her Minister of State, has admitted that already this year some 53 schools have dropped a science subject. Based on her preliminary discussions with school bodies, are we likely to see additional schools drop science subjects in September? The Government has a fanciful policy on innovation, the smart economy etc. lauding the importance of science, but when it comes to it, there is a reduction in the provision of science subjects in our schools. Does she accept that?

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