Anthony Lawlor (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this topic. It is highly relevant given that the Minister of State is visiting Kinvara today to launch a CoderDojo club. Approximately 4,000 young people are involved in CoderDojo, which emerged as a result of a deficiency in science and computer science subjects in the education system. I welcome the emphasis on the STEM - science, technology, engineering and mathematics - subjects in the new junior certificate cycle and the introduction of standardised testing for the science subjects from 2016 onwards.

The rationale for science is that it contributes to a balanced and broad educational experience for students, extending their experience at primary level. It is concerned with the development of scientific, literacy and associated science process skills and an appreciation of the impact science has on our lives and the environment. In an era of rapid scientific and technological change, the study of science is fundamental to the development of the confidence required to deal with the opportunities and challenges such changes present in a wide variety of personal and social contexts.

In 2006, Dr. Carol Gibbons, a former deputy chief scientific adviser, stated that we must foster and grow an interest in science at a very early age. Dr. Gibbons is now senior investment adviser at Enterprise Ireland and her statement remains relevant. In my area, the Kerry Group is generating technology jobs and Intel and Hewlett Packard are major employers.

Sadly, many of these companies have difficulty in finding Irish people with the relevant qualifications to take up positions. This issue has arisen at the jobs committee in terms of accelerating the processing of work visa applications for people at that level.

Ireland is unique among 21 countries in that science is not compulsory at junior cycle level. Students in Irish schools receive a lower proportion of teaching in science, approximately 8%, compared with the EU and OECD average of 12%. As with mathematics, it has been reported that fewer than 30% of teachers who teach a scientific subject have a degree in that subject. Many schools lack adequate laboratory facilities, as a result of which there is a tendency to reduce the amount of science taught.

I welcome many of the changes to the junior cycle. In driving our economy in a new direction, though, our emphasis will be on educations based around science, technology, engineering and mathematics, STEM, subjects. Making science a compulsory subject for everyone will be vital. Will this idea form part of the Minister's proposals on a new junior cycle?

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