Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

I appreciate the Deputy's support and enthusiasm on this subject. The Deputy will, if she is fair, acknowledge that I have been, in my capacity as Minister of State with responsibility for science, technology and innovation, equally enthusiastic about this proposal. I am also Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills.

The institutes of technology are in favour of the proposal. Three of our universities have indicated support for it, including the University of Limerick which is already operating the system. The proposal has been considered by the academic councils of Trinity College Dublin and University College Dublin, both of which have voted in favour of it. NUI Galway and University College Cork remain to be convinced of its merits. NUI Maynooth is divided on the matter. I am actively working with and trying to persuade university presidents that this is the correct decision for our leaving certificate students. My children are not yet old enough to take the leaving certificate examination. However, I know that many parents are aware of how difficult it is for a student to opt in to higher level maths, given the disincentive to do so. Between spring and June, some 20% of students drop from higher level to lower level maths. We need to increase the number of students taking higher level mathematics if we are to have suitably-qualified people in this area.

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