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

I welcome the statistics, but I am disappointed that science will not become a core subject. The Minister mentioned the three core subjects, those being, Irish, English and mathematics. I have a problem with Irish being a core subject. It only seems to be so because the universities have set it as an entry requirement. Science is of more relevance and importance.

I am concerned that schools will be given the flexibility to decide on what subjects to provide. Science costs more and requires laboratories if it is to maintained as a core subject. A number of parents have approached me with concerns that their children, who will be starting the new cycle in 2014, might not be offered science because the number of classes that their schools can teach will be limited.

Another problem is teachers, in that we do not have enough. This problem dates back to the Celtic tiger era when many people did not take scientific subjects.

I would love to see science as a core subject. If we are to drive our economy, it will be through maths, English and science. These will help us to extricate ourselves from this situation.

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