Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 60: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the failure rates for first year science courses at universities and institutes of technology; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12939/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Information on national failure rates in specific programmes is not available. However, national research conducted by the HEA into the issue of student non-completion found that science had a higher rate of non-completion than the average across the university sector, at 22.2% against 16.7% otherwise. This, however, refers to the number who do not complete the full degree rather than the failure rate in any individual year of course. The report also found that overall Ireland's completion rate in degree level programmes compared favourably against the OECD average of 70%.

I am aware of recent media reports of a high failure rate in science, for example, the finding that in UCD some 28% of students either failed their first year or dropped out of the course. However, it is important to note that students may repeat examinations or all of first year, or choose to follow an alternative subject in higher education. The UCD study found that more than 95% of those who leave during the period of study re-enter the college or another third level institution or intend to do so in the near future, suggesting that only a small percentage of students are leaving third level education entirely. It is also instructive to note that a HEA study on completion rates found that of the total completion rate of 83%, some 15% completed late, which would include some individuals who would have repeated a year of a course.

Nevertheless, I am particularly concerned that this issue be addressed in view of the importance of science for Ireland's continued economic and national development. A number of actions are under way to enhance completion levels in science and all subjects in higher education. Since 2000, €3.8 million in funding has been made available for the HEA's targeted initiatives fund, which funds projects which aim to consider and develop approaches to non-completion and supports activities aimed at examining and improving student retention and participation in HEA funded institutions.

Institutes of technology have also introduced specific measures aimed at improving retention rates and have provided learning supports programmes with particular emphasis on strengthening skills in the areas of maths and science. They have also established retention projects, personal tutor and mentoring systems, training programmes for staff, orientation programmes to facilitate the transition to third level, information handbooks and guides to best practice, additional tutorials and school liaison and improved pre-entry information.

A separate scheme for student retention in the area of ICT was also introduced by the HEA in 2002, as part of the drive to enhance skills output in the ICT area. Some €3 million has been allocated since 2003, mainly focused on the areas of tutorials and mentoring, drop-in learning centres, student advisers and problem based learning.

The effectiveness of these schemes will be kept under review to ensure that maximum encouragment is given to all those who wish to study in the areas of science and technology.