Cathy Bennett (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I commend Science Foundation Ireland, SFI, on the 30th anniversary of Science Week, along with parents, industry, colleges, schools, libraries, teachers and researchers but mostly the students. It is time to reflect on our own role as legislators on the theme of this year which is: "Then. Today. Tomorrow." We have produced world leaders and are home to domestic and multinational companies at the forefront in their fields of science. Our healthcare workers provide among the highest standards of care and we have more women in STEM fields than ever before. In some contexts, thinking from then to today, progress has been made. However, thinking of then, think also of when third level fees were abolished. Then they were reinstated and then increased this year. This is not very encouraging for our future scientists.

When I think of the science-led improvements to healthcare and the talent and commitment of our healthcare professionals today, I regret that people cannot access their care. I think of more than 800 children in my own county of Monaghan, none of whom were able to access their dental checkups this year. While welcoming the pending expansion of veterinary medical places, I think of the hundreds upon hundreds of students in recent years who have been forced to study abroad due to the lack of capacity while a crisis, particularly in rural areas, festered at home.

While acknowledging progress, I bear in mind that only one third of STEM students today are women, with only 25% in ICT. We have made progress but not enough. It is definitely not working. We have a backslide in some areas. We look to tomorrow. My appeal to the Government is that the goal will be a tomorrow that allows for ambitious planning for the future, beyond simply responding to the excessive amount of issues that plague our society today.

In regard to the national children's science museum, the concept of which I fully support, the approach from the Government seems foolish. More than 20 years ago it was envisaged that it would cost the taxpayer €14.3 million to build a national children's science museum. The estimated cost 12 years ago was €36.4 million but today that estimate has gone up to €70 million. The Government seems powerless and held to ransom by a charity. I will not prescribe the exact solution to what I appreciate has competing views from different stakeholders. However, I ask the Government to recognise the situation is farcical and take control of this board and the findings and recommendations from the Comptroller and Auditor General and ensure that in the future its officials are not left to defend what may seem an absolutely scandalous waste of money.

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