Susan O'Keeffe (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State. It only seems like five minutes ago but a full 12 months have passed since we last discussed Science week. It has been a busy year. It is good to hear about all the many projects that were progressed and the advances that were made during those short 12 months. Dublin City University, DCU, has referred to a significant swing in the direction of STEM-based courses, which are now attracting more than 4,000 first preference applications. When we are seeking hard evidence with regard to progress being made, we can point to the fact that those in DCU are happy. There has been an increase in the number of first year students entering Sligo Institute of Technology this year. Part of the €35 million development programme at the institute involves the construction of an extension to the science block, which will house several lecture theatres, specialist laboratories and a 600-seat student restaurant. Of course I hope students will not spend all of their time in the latter. If the Minister of State visits Sligo IT this week, he will have the opportunity to try out the bed of nails which has been put in place.