Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister of State. As we said last night, we meet a lot on these occasions when it comes to education issues. I thank the Leader for arranging this debate in such a timely way because it is only ten days since I said it was needed. It is particularly appropriate in view of reports on increased applications to get into and pressure on places in college. I welcome much of what the Minister of State said, especially on flexible provision and delivery. He pointed out there are no plans for the introduction of a cap on the number of places in higher education. That is brilliant but I question how universities and institutes of technology will be funded. The seven heads of universities appeared before an Oireachtas joint committee two weeks ago saying they were terribly strapped for cash. The Union of Students in Ireland cogently put its case to us, proving that universities were putting their hands in the pie of the student service charge to fund core tuition. I am fascinated by how they will survive.

Some 71,000 applicants are seeking 45,000 places, an increase of 6.25%. I would like the Minister of State to answer the question of how funding will match up if there is no cap on places, which I welcome. The Minister of State also mentioned the issue of cutting back. The Government's moratorium on recruitment is putting pressure on teaching. As the number of students increases, there are more students per lecturer and there are no replacements when people retire. The quality of education suffers. Owing to the new employment framework, student service counsellors must also apply to get a post. They should surely be funded from the student service charge of €1,500 per year. The student service end is being hit. The Minister of State referred to 71,000 applicants and the 45,000 CAO acceptances in 2009, giving a current ratio of 1.6:1. It is not just about any place but about the place a student wants. A student lists ten preferences on the CAO form. Some courses are available with 130 points, which is fine for those who want it and if the course matches their ability and competence, but the place is no good to a student who wants a place in dentistry, science or mathematics.

I look forward to the report of the higher group but it was a bit much for the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, to deliberate on the closure of the NUI office in advance of the higher level group presenting its report. The key to economic growth, in this country or any other, is investment in human capital. When the IDA sells Ireland, Galway or any other place, it does so based on the expertise available and the quality of graduates as well as our corporation tax rate. In a downturn it is ideal that a nation invests in these people and mature students. This latter category has grown by 14%, a major growth, and it must be met by the courses needed. Mr. Michael Gleeson of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors said last week he is concerned a 1980s style points race will return. A spokesman for the Minister said that supply and demand would narrow in the months ahead. I understand that but these trends come at a time when workplace opportunities and apprenticeships were never lower. The number of students applying to Britain and Northern Ireland for university places has increased by 50% this year according to Mr. John Walshe in the Irish Independent. Students are nervous they will not get the place they need in this country. Last year almost 13,000 mature students applied for places by August. This year that figure has already been reached. Late applications increased by 7,000 last year and I expect them to be higher this year. Ms Bernie Brady of AONTAS has called on the Minister of State to provide more training and education initiatives for the unemployed. We can assume that many of those applying for mature student places are likely to have lost their jobs.

The career expert writing for the Irish Independent refers to the sense of anxiousness among leaving certificate students about the scarcity of college places. It places students under extra pressure at a time when they should be focusing on study for their exams. Will the Minister of State provide a commitment to increase the places in areas where students are looking for study opportunities? For example, University College Galway always sees a significant increase in the numbers taking arts courses and the college is at its limit in the provision of arts places unless more Government funding is provided. However, this difficulty is not experienced in science and engineering courses. The registrar at GMIT, Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, has told me that work experience as part of the training course for apprentices is badly needed. A forecast of what the demand in trades will be in three to four years is needed in order to develop apprenticeship courses. Is the Department undertaking this planning and why is the number of apprenticeships not being increased? The big problem is that employers are not employing so people are going back to education.

I note the very worrying trend of the numbers unemployed in the construction sector. Those people left school early, many with quite poor literacy skills and they also need opportunities. Before the economic downturn, the number of leaving certificate students going directly into apprenticeships was 18,000 to 20,000 and now the number is 2,000, a direct result of the downturn in the construction industry.

I wish to devote the remainder of my time to the crisis in the area of maths and sciences. A key adviser to Barack Obama, Dr. Craig Barrett, the former chief executive officer of Intel said that Ireland's education system needs to do better if the economy is to compete on a world stage. Along with Engineers Ireland, the area of learning he has flagged is that of maths and science. He spoke about setting our educational sights high and that we should aim to be the first in maths and science rather than just average. The Minister of State will be aware that PISA, the programme for international student achievement, shows that Ireland is just average. We are faring very badly when it comes to honours level maths at leaving certificate. The Government and the nation should be looking to the needs of the knowledge and innovation economy and deciding how to serve those needs.

We need to look at the early learning of maths and sciences. Our problem is that when a young teacher begins teaching at 21 or 22 years of age, they do not have the opportunity to observe science in action in the workplace at any stage. This is not satisfactory as they will not have the motivation and excitement to teach science as a subject that is alive. I propose to the Minister of State that there should be a new type of in-service training for teachers of maths and science which would provide a link between classroom practice and industry practice. For example, there are wonderful medical devices manufacturing companies in Galway and Mayo. I suggest that teachers should be released for one day or a few hours every month so they can observe industry practice. For example, Intel has been enthusiastic in its support, along with the Government, for the IT revolution.

The solution to the problem with maths and sciences is to do with the teaching of maths and sciences rather than the doubling of points at leaving certificate. I have been informed by University College Galway that we are starting from too low a base. Only 30% of junior certificate students gain an A or B in honours maths and this is where the problem lies and not at leaving certificate level. The in-service training needs to be aimed at those teaching children who are leaving sixth class and entering second level. I ask the Minister of State to examine the link between town and gown, between teaching and industry.

I summarise by asking the Minister of State whether he will provide extra college places in the key areas of maths, science and engineering and arts in Galway. We must consider what the student wants and also what the nation needs so we can respond when the downturn is followed by an upturn. I ask the Minister of State if he will provide more apprenticeship places because not everybody is suited for a university place. I have heard Senator Ormonde voice the same opinion. I ask the Minister of State to commit to a new model of teacher in-service education in the area of maths and sciences. I do not agree with the former Intel chairman when he spoke about increasing the points for maths and science at leaving certificate level. In my view, those who study these subjects have chosen them out of interest. We need to focus on students who do not achieve sufficiently high grades in the early years, at pre-junior certificate level so they will choose to study those subjects at honours level at leaving certificate.

Education is the key to our future growth and the key to personal development.