John Clendennen (Offaly, Fine Gael)
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This afternoon, I attended an event in Buswells Hotel hosted by Engineers Ireland, where it was stated that 65% of the children in our primary schools today will work in jobs that do not exist yet. I recently attended Banagher College to celebrate the Laois-Offaly ETB STEAM showcase event that recognises more inspiring projects in robotics, coding and virtual reality; initiatives that are truly reshaping Offaly's future, bridging the gap left behind by the end of peat production and equipping our youth for tomorrow's opportunities.

The challenges associated with a transition away from peat-fired power were well flagged but the county did not sit back in its efforts to enable the next generation.

Science, technology, engineering, arts and maths, STEAM, were highlighted as an area for opportunity. The local authority set the pace with the introduction of the VEX IQ Robotics Competition. In 2018, only 16 schools registered for the competition; in 2024, that number increased to 82. I acknowledge the work of Ray Bell at Offaly County Council in pioneering this area, which is now a true success story. From that initial seed sown by Ray and his council colleagues, the culture has evolved with a can-do attitude. At the heart of this transformation is a strong partnership of local government and academic and enterprise partners coming together through the midlands regional enterprise plan. Supported by the EU transition fund and led by the local authorities of Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath, this collaboration is driving a forward-thinking agenda.

The LOETB STEAM programme is now a cornerstone of that vision at secondary level, creating spaces for curiosity, sparking innovation and enabling students to build skills that mirror the modern workplace by way of initiatives such as coding and robotics, the Lego League, Minecraft, virtual reality tours and podcasting, to name just a few. I have been delighted to interact with some of those initiatives and meet the students involved. There are many benefits to equipping our youth with 21st-century skills through critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and communication in a fun environment. When, for example, a team programmes a VEX robotic to navigate an obstacle course, members learn coding and how to solve problems under pressure, divide roles and meet deadlines. When students produce a podcast in a state-of-the-art studio, they master digital tools and find their voice. These experiences boost confidence, spark innovation and drive engagement with science, technology, engineering and mathematics, STEM, subjects, leading more students to opt for computer science at leaving certificate level. There is a positive community impact in bringing young people together and building networks of support and belonging.

These initiatives showcase Offaly's creativity to parents, local businesses and broader communities, sending a message that our county is open for innovation and investment. The midlands ICT action plan forecasts 800 new jobs in the region over the next three to five years. We need a pipeline of skilled graduates. Programmes like these provide that pipeline, ensuring that our businesses can hire locally and our young people can choose to build careers at home. Momentum continues, with six schools in Offaly now teaching computer science at leaving certificate level, up from just one in 2021. More than 3,000 students engage in robotics each year. We have success stories such as that of Alex Dunne from Clonbullogue, who has progressed to McLaren's driver development programme and who tested for the first time today in Formula One, thanks in part to the problem-solving and engineering mindset nurtured by the STEAM programme as implemented in our schools. We must continue to build, innovate and invest in children in primary schools who will, in future, work in jobs that do not yet exist.

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for his very interesting contribution. I am responding on behalf of the Minister for Education and Youth. I agree with every word he said.

As Minister of State with responsibility for mental health services, I am aware that extracurricular activities play a key role in helping learners to grow and succeed, both in and out of the classroom, and especially in regard to their emotional health and well-being. By taking part in sports, music, art, debate, volunteering and other clubs or competitions, young people build important life skills such as teamwork, time management and leadership, which are really important in their future careers. These experiences allow students to discover their strengths, develop confidence and express themselves creatively. They also provide a valuable way for learners to make friends and feel part of a group. All of this contributes to better well-being, stronger school engagement and improved learning outcomes. Through extracurricular activities, learners have the chance to explore new interests and build habits that support lifelong learning. They become more motivated, more resilient and better prepared for future study, training or work.

I was interested to hear about the various changes in computer science and other subjects across schools in Offaly. The activities help create well-rounded learners who are not only academically capable but also socially and emotionally confident. I recognise the importance of extracurricular activities and the significant role they play in enriching the learner experience. This is reflected in several strategies and policies from the Department of Education and Youth. The Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy Strategy 2024-2033 highlights the value of learning that takes place outside formal settings. It acknowledges that supports for learners beyond the classroom have grown and continue to evolve. Similarly, the STEM Education Policy Statement 2017-2026 makes clear that STEM learning is not limited to schools or early years settings. It happens in a variety of spaces such as at home, in museums, during coding workshops, which the Deputy spoke about, and in the workplace. It offers huge opportunities for new learners.

One of the key actions in the policy statement is to "[p]rovide opportunities for all learners to take part in STEM through informal, co-curricular, and extra-curricular programmes". In line with this, the Department is proud to support national extracurricular programmes that encourage innovation, inquiry and participation. This includes funding for the Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition, SciFest, ESB Science Blast and the Engineers Ireland STEPS Programme. These initiatives inspire thousands of learners every year and help to promote creativity, problem-solving and teamwork in fun and engaging ways.

The Department greatly values the voice and contributions of young people. We recognise their active participation in a wide range of other projects and competitions such as VEX IQ Robotics and the Lego League. These opportunities are made possible through the combined efforts of schools, parents and learners, whose dedication and resourcefulness, particularly in fundraising, are vital to participation. However, due to the wide variety and growing number of opportunities now available, the Department has not been in a position to fund individual projects or competition entries. That said, the Minister fully acknowledges the importance of these experiences for learners and the exceptional work being done in schools to support them. The annual provision for STEM funding commitments is just shy of €900,000. A couple of the initiatives are seeking increases in funding to facilitate an increase in numbers participating and the rising costs of putting on those events. The Department is actively considering those requests, with decisions to be made shortly.

John Clendennen (Offaly, Fine Gael)
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In recent weeks, the debating team at St. Brendan's Community School, Birr, was crowned European debating champions. A team from Coláiste Choilm in Tullamore is in Texas right now competing in the VEX IQ Robotics Competition. Students from Sacred Heart school, Tullamore, will be in Texas next week, along with students from Cork and Kildare, all of whom will be competing against the best in the world from more than 50 countries. These achievements shine a global spotlight on our students and their country and underscore what is possible when we invest in them and instil a confidence that they truly are the best in the world. To sustain and expand those benefits, we must secure continued support for STEAM engagement officers, equipment, teacher training, scholarships and the crucial STEAM roles in every local authority. By doing so, we will strengthen rural communities, drive sustainable economic growth and ensure counties like Offaly remain a leader in digital innovation.

Finance should not be a barrier to student participation. Tubber National School had to fundraise to enable its students to travel to Texas last year. Both Coláiste Choilm and Sacred Heart School have carried out extensive fundraising for their trip to represent Ireland. A rolling funding scheme should be introduced to assist in funding schools that represent Ireland internationally in listed and recognised extracurricular subject competitions. We must provide all the support we can to ensure students have all the necessary resources to achieve their goals and enable us collectively to celebrate when they stand on a stage or podium and "Amhrán na bhFiann" is played. I ask that the Minister give consideration to introducing such a budget.

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I certainly will take the Deputy's request to the Minister. At present, the Department supports a number of national extracurricular programmes through core funding, including €400,000 for the Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition, €200,000 for SciFest, €250,000 for ESB Science Blast and €43,000 for the Engineers Ireland STEPS Programme. That gives a total of €893,000. These programmes have broad national reach and strong alignment with curricular and strategic goals. However, I fully recognise the demand for broader support, particularly for schools wishing to participate in a growing number of local, national and international competitions. The Deputy mentioned the schools competing in Texas. The Minister has committed to reviewing the current approach to this area, including the potential for additional or more flexible funding models. While no dedicated fund has yet been established, this is a matter under active consideration and is subject to budgetary commitments. I have no doubt the Minister will consider this under the Estimates process for budget 2026. I will convey the Deputy's request to her. I congratulate all the schools that seem to be very high achievers in his area.