Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I rise today to highlight two issues. One of them is the launch recently of the science, technology, engineering and mathematics, STEM, programme between Johnson & Johnson and the University of Limerick. It is a collaboration. This year Tús has been accepted into the programme. It is about encouraging young women to participate in science projects. It is also about supporting these young women in mathematics and the different sciences. It is about encouraging them to go forward and to study science subjects. Certainly, it has supported so many young women to date in their careers and so many people have gone on to excel in the courses. It is down to this collaboration between Johnson & Johnson and the university, and now Johnson & Johnson, the university and Tús, which has been accepted. I pay tribute to Ms Anna Rafferty and her committee from Johnson and Johnson who have been out there to the forefront in promoting this worthwhile project.

The other issue I would like to draw attention to is that there have been many business supports announced today for entrepreneurs and small businesses. There are so many entrepreneurs out there. The schools' enterprise week is coming up shortly with the local enterprise offices. It is about encouraging young students to go out there and set up their own business - their mini-companies. It is about showing them how to run their accounts and, I suppose, training them young in terms of entrepreneurial skills. So many people who have gone on to win the Young Scientist started off under this programme. So many students have gone through this programme over the years.

These are two positive steps that are coming to the doorstep shortly. In terms of the STEM programme, the closing date for applications is 14 October.