Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 73: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the steps which she will take to upgrade facilities and the capacity of science laboratories at second level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33288/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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As part of the multi-annual school building programme, the Government has invested heavily in the modernisation of school facilities throughout the country including science facilities in post-primary schools. Provision of science facilities is an intrinsic part of many school building projects at post-primary level. Typically this investment involves the provision of modern science facilities in new post-primary schools or the upgrading of science facilities in existing schools either as part of a school building project or as a dedicated investment to facilitate the teaching of science.

Schools have also received funding under the summer works schemes 2004-07 to refurbish science laboratories. There will be a summer works scheme in 2009. In the 2006 application form for the summer works scheme, post-primary schools were asked to identify specifically, and provide details of, any science and technology upgrade or refurbishment projects separate from any other projects being applied for, so that consideration could be given to approving these projects for 2006. Over 60 schools were approved for funding in 2006 and 2007 under my Department's summer works scheme to enable them to get science laboratories refurbished on a devolved basis.

Additionally, the Government has funded the provision of class materials, basic general equipment and chemicals for practical work for the sciences. My Department also spent in excess of €13 million in 2004 to facilitate the introduction of a revised junior science syllabus. Schools received a basic grant of €3,500 per science laboratory to enable them to provide the new curriculum. Additional funding was made available to schools where other specified equipment was required. In addition, certain schools identified as needing new or refurbished science laboratories as a result of a 1998 national survey received funding. My Department will continue to take a proactive approach in the provision of the necessary facilities for the teaching of science in schools.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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How many applications are with the Department in respect of upgrading science laboratories in the post-primary school sector?

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The only way schools would have applied for science lab upgrading was under the criteria for the summer works for this year. Given that we decided not to proceed with those, we have not analysed them and I cannot give the Deputy that figure. In 2006 and 2007 I gave funding for science labs. We do not have a budget heading for science labs but obviously in respect of extensions, refurbishments and new schools, state-of-the-art facilities are being established and much headway has been made in that respect in the past few years.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Following the previous question from Deputy Quinn about an inventory of prefabs, an issue on which he has campaigned over the past few months, can the Minister provide an inventory of applications received on this issue? It is astonishing that, while the Minister comes into this House knowing that she will be asked about this and knowing that the first supplementary question from Opposition spokespersons will be on the number of applications, she cannot give that basic information to the House. She manages one of the biggest Departments in the State and it is the most obvious question. Can she give me the information when she gets back to Marlborough Street?

I spoke last Friday to the National Parents Council in County Kildare. The condition of science laboratories is a big issue for parents. The basic core funding that the Department gives to schools is pathetic. Why has the Department failed to respond to a basic proposal from school management groups and science teachers? This would establish laboratory assistants in many schools, at least clusters, who would help science teachers to prepare experiments and laboratories and to get the best from the infrastructure that exists.

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Applications were not sought from schools for the upgrading of science laboratories so the only way we would have that information is if it was included in the summer works scheme. The applications received can be considered for next year's summer works scheme. They will be examined at the end of this year and the beginning of next year.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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There will be two years of applications back to back.

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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We will not seek——

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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There are existing applications and next year's applications.

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Yes, but in respect of the existing applications, schools will not be asked to double up.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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The Department will receive more applications.

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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We will not be examining the applications so I cannot give the Deputy the information because we do not have a fund for science labs this year, nor are we seeking information on or requests for science labs.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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The Minister should have this information at her fingertips.

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Although it is included in the science strategy as a matter that should be considered, it is not my intention as a current priority to introduce lab assistants because of the cost and the knock-on effect. We estimate that €24 million is the cost of laboratory assistants this year. There is nothing surer than that all other practical subjects would also seek an assistant, which could come in at up to €120 million per year. It is not a priority for me or Government.

It would not work on a cluster basis and could not because all schools are in school on the same days for the same hours.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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With different timetables one could have an assistant for two or three schools. The Minister should use a little imagination.

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Schools do not have different timetables, they all start between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. I am sure the Deputy knows these are the timings of our schools. There is no way a laboratory assistant could work between a number of schools given that they have classes on the same days.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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It works with career guidance.

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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It is not a priority and will not happen in the immediate term. We will examine it under the science strategy over the next few years. We will continue with our commitment to upgrade the school facilities as we have been doing for the past few years.