Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Yes, thank you. In respect of stem-cell research it is important to recognise the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. We must take the recent TIMSS and PIRLS exercise which showed that we are doing well on literacy and are above average on mathematics and science subjects at primary level. This was extrapolated from fourth class students. It is vital that we make a greater investment in continuing professional development in that area.

With regard to pure mathematics, I find it interesting that people raise this point when there is a clear public record and proof that in the last round of SFI funding we gave more than ¤2 million to MSSI at the University of Limerick for the examination of pure mathematics. We are covering all the bases. We are still in a period of transition but we are mindful that we are not going to be too hemmed in about how we approach funding for science. I refer the Members to SFI's document about SFI research impact, published in January 2013. It asks what is meant by impact, impact and outputs and impact statements. It is a very good, clear, concise document explaining how impact will be measured and so on and so forth. I am happy to come back to the House to address the other points at a later stage.