Paul Connaughton (Galway East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Acting Chairman for the opportunity to speak on this Bill. The extension of the remit of Science Foundation Ireland, as provided for in this Bill, is most welcome. To date, the foundation has promoted and supported awareness and understanding of science, technology, engineering and mathematics and has enabled collaborative funding of research. The focus now has switched to turning good research into good jobs. A core part of Science Foundation Ireland's current work is the provision of research funding to individual and group researchers in third level institutions across Ireland. The foundation now will be able to fund applied research, which will bring these good ideas closer to market stage, thereby increasing the potential for job creation. Best practice is at the core of what Science Foundation Ireland does and with this in mind, I welcome the foundation's aim to be the best science funding agency in the world. World class standards are precisely what are needed at this time.

The remit of the Bill before the House mirrors the remit given to the Government on a broader level, namely, to ensure that each cent of the nation's resources that is spent is spent wisely and where it is most needed. Moreover, it is to ensure that money is invested where it will bear most fruit for the Irish people and will provide much-needed jobs in this economy. While the Government cannot create jobs in the retail sector, it can support that sector and more importantly, develop and bring forward the research that could lead to the development of new products and services with global potential that could create high-quality jobs in Ireland and, in turn, put money in the pockets of retail customers. For the past ten years, the focus of Science Foundation Ireland has been on information and communications technology, biotechnology, sustainable energy and energy-efficient technologies. These areas have unlimited potential, which can be unlocked by world-class research followed by targeted funding to bring these ideas to market. The creation of an international centre for aviation excellence at Shannon Airport also is to be welcomed. This Bill provides that the Minister can prescribe strategic areas of opportunity for economic and social benefits, long-term industrial competitiveness and environmental sustainability. I note the areas which come under the remit of the Bill do not include the food industry and I believe that given the significant role science plays in the development of new foods such as probiotics, this area could come under the remit of Science Foundation Ireland, especially given the potential for such scientifically-advanced foods to expand on a global scale, as well as the availability of the necessary skill set in Ireland to lead the way in the development of new health-enhancing foods.

Mathematics is at the core of much of the work of Science Foundation Ireland. I believe Ireland's future will be well served by the decision on the part of the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn, to allocate additional points for higher-level maths in the leaving certificate examinations, thereby ensuring that Ireland's brightest and best do not forego maths as they seek to finalise their second level education. In years to come, the proportion of the Irish population who have completed second level maths to higher level will increase rapidly and in turn this will mean the country is better placed to harness the value of scientific advancements. However, while one must do all in one's power to equip current second level students with the mathematical knowledge necessary for the future, one must not overlook those who already have passed through the system and who chose not to study mathematics to higher level even though they had the ability to so do but who preferred to put their focus elsewhere in the leaving certificate exams. Science Foundation Ireland could, as a promotion of mathematics, fund courses on a pilot basis in which former students could study mathematics at night at higher leaving certificate level. I believe such courses would prove popular. I also would give mathematically-minded parents the opportunity to study maths in order that they can help their children through the higher-level course. I believe this is a matter Science Foundation Ireland could discuss with the Department of Education and Skills and which would pay dividends in the future. The focus of Members must be consistently on the future and I believe this Bill is indicative of the Government's forward-thinking approach and it can and I believe will make a difference in putting Ireland to the fore in terms of scientific advancement and in helping to ensure that good science translates into good jobs.

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