Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will come back to the Deputy on that. I thank him for bringing it to my attention.

The Deputy highlights an extremely important issue. We talk about how to increase the number of STEM graduates. That is important and we have made considerable progress on it. We often talk about that just in the context of the student, which is important, but we do not often talk about it in the context of how we upskill and support the teacher in how he or she teaches the student to help him or her get to the level of mathematics, science or technology that is required. Not too long ago, I visited DCU's school of education and had a very interesting engagement with Professor Anne Looney and others on this and on how one teaches the teacher of the future in order that he or she can in turn pass on that learning and the new ways of learning mathematics and science subjects and technology in general. Through Science Foundation Ireland's centre for research training, we have provided €13.6 million in funding for what we call foundations of data science. That funds a cohort of PhD students to look at the area of applied mathematics, statistics and machine learning. PhD students trained in that centre will develop skills that will make them uniquely adaptable to the rapidly evolving needs of Irish and global society. Also, through our Springboard+ programme and human capital initiative, we are positively discriminating, if you like, in favour of STEM and the upskilling of individuals working in education and maths.

I will revert to the Deputy on his specific proposal.

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