Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)

The Government's policy on the smart economy and science, technology and innovation is being implemented by all Departments. We have the discover science and engineering programme from Forfás and the strategy for science technology and innovation etc. Therefore, I am sure what the Tánaiste said then is relevant now in the Department of Education and Skills. As mentioned, the data with regard to the number of schools discontinuing a science subject in the 2007-08 school year, before the increase in the pupil teacher ratio, are largely the same as the numbers discontinuing science in 2009-10. We are committed to the strategy for science, technology and innovation. I already mentioned that there are a number of reasons science is not being selected, but we are trying to address this. Virtually all schools teach science up to junior certificate level and science subjects are optional at leaving certificate level. Government policy is very clear in that regard.

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