Susan O'Keeffe (Labour) | Oireachtas source

Indeed. As previous speakers indicated, the purpose of Science Week is to try to make science exciting. The question which then arises relates to how to export that excitement back to the classroom. Senators White and Clune referred to the very real challenge which exists in this regard. We can have a week of terrific excitement, as should be the case, and we can celebrate that the fact that science is all about the world around us and that everything we do has some scientific basis. What has been the feedback with regard to how we might recreate the excitement to which I refer in the classroom?

I am aware, from speaking to a number of them, that secondary school students can become a bit bogged down in science in the early stages. This occurs at the very moment when a teacher wants them to stay with it. When, at the age of 13 or 14, they are still young enough to be excited and are not entirely cynical about the world, how do we keep them in that state of excitement where anything is possible? This is the best thing that Science Week brings out in students in the various locations throughout the country to which the Minister of State referred.

All my colleagues here are aware of places close to them where Science Week is working well. We can continue to celebrate Science Week and put on terrific events but how do we take that forward? Is there a bridging committee or piece of research to ensure that schools could take hold of even one or two of the best of those ideas in a simple way? I know from talking to science teachers in schools that they are always looking for ways to excite their students. Some of them are dedicated scientists in their own right who want to give to children what they got when they were studying, and they are trying to do that in a modern environment where they are fighting all the other distractions that steal children's time and attention. Is that something we could do?

It is worth patting ourselves on the back briefly in terms of those students who have done Ireland proud. For three years in a row we have won the European Union young scientist competition, which is no mean feat given the size of Ireland and the size of the competition. Ciara Judge, Emer Hickey and Sophie Healy-Throw from Kinsale Community School won this year. Their investigation into the effects of a particular form of bacteria on the germination of seeds is the kind of project that has been praised for its commercial potential in the agri-industry, something in which I know the Minister is particularly interested. He praised Professor Fergus Shanahan from UCC, my alma mater, on his award for researcher of the year and the work it is doing with Moorepark food research centre, all of which ties back to the agri-food industry.

In that regard I disagree with my colleague Senator Quinn because I would like to believe that Ireland's agriculture and food industries would be built on a GM-free environment. We must have that debate because we have moments where we disagree but I am sure we could have a rewarding conversation about that, which is something that would have an implication for the Minister's Department as well as for his colleagues in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Given the level of scientific knowledge and our own experience in places like Moorepark, the whole of Teagasc, UCC, UCD and across the country - we have a wealth of knowledge - how would we approach the GM debate? We should not shirk it any longer.

The students in Sligo IT won the Microsoft Imagine Cup, which is probably the biggest cup for students. They won it twice in Ireland and in 2011 they won the worldwide Imagine Cup. This is a small academy compared to the huge organisations with which they are competing. We have a wealth of talent but we must continue to encourage those students who come forward.

I am reminded of the Collison brothers of whom I am sure the Minister is well aware. Patrick Collison was 19 when they sold their first Internet company and made €1 million. Patrick was a winner in the young scientist award and obviously was a man with huge natural talent yet the brothers are now working in the United States. One of the Forfás recommendations is that we would encourage not just international expertise to Ireland but ex-pats to come back to Ireland. It is to people like Patrick and his brother John that we would be looking with a view to forming relationships. I am aware they have a business here but I understand they are based in the US. Originally they looked a little young and they went to the US without being able to get investment here. We do not want to see those opportunities fall through the cracks on another occasion. In regard to an issue I brought to his attention the Minister has helped to try to avoid that, and it is something we must try to avoid.

In terms of opportunities for the future, is there a way the top companies in Ireland listed by Senator Clune can open their doors to students and young people in this Science Week? Would they be able to offer time and space once a year for children and young people to see what it is like to work in one of those companies?

I note that President Higgins presented the gold Gaisce awards today. Could Science Week and all the great work being done by Science Foundation Ireland and the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation be developed in collaboration with Gaisce?

In regard to work experience, is there a way in which companies could agree to offer 1,000 work placements every year to transition year students on a formal as opposed to an ad hocbasis? AbbVie in Sligo has been particularly good at supporting young people in our community and while I am sure other companies do the same, perhaps a formalised approach would strengthen the link between young people and the working environment and help in the transition from the excitement of Science Week to the reality of finding a job.

Senator Feargal Quinn touched on the subject of sponsoring after school clubs. Perhaps companies involved in information technology, science and research might consider this suggestion in some shape or form. I am aware that the Minister of State is working very hard on Horizon 2020 and I urge him to keep up the good work.