Sean Barrett (Independent)

I agree with the proposals from Senators Healy Eames and Conway to invite the Minister for Education and Skills to come to the House. The problem of mathematics in Ireland, which was first raised in this House, has been promoted heavily in one of the national newspapers. My fear is that it may be even bigger than has been stated so far. The expert group on future skills needs estimates that as few as 20% of teachers of second level mathematics studied it as a major subject beyond the first year of their primary degree. That means that 80% are non-qualified, which is way in excess of the 30% that has been mentioned. The Minister should consult the expert group and the Royal Irish Academy, which have made the running on this.

We need a mechanism quickly to get university mathematics departments and higher diploma in education departments to talk to each other. As Senators have said, the bonus points reward those who can afford grinds, those who attend private schools, and those who have been taught by the 20% of teachers who are fully qualified in the subject. The problem also has horrendous impacts on our attempts to promote Ireland as a centre of science, engineering and technology. In the current recession, perhaps engineers could be drafted in on a temporary basis to teach mathematics in schools. I commend the Minister on his interest in this major problem, but it may be even larger and more urgent than is realised. I hope he will accede to the other Senators' requests and come in to debate this major issue in education.