Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 270: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the steps she is taking to improve the standard of science laboratory facilities in second level schools; her plans to improve the teaching of science subjects at second level; the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education report on Science which have been implemented to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21556/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Capital funding is being provided under the School Building and Modernisation Programme 2005-2009 for the refurbishment of science laboratories undertaken as part of an overall refurbishment programme of second level schools, for the upgrading of science facilities exclusively or by provision of new facilities in the case of newly built or extended schools. Additionally, I have provided for class materials, basic general equipment and chemicals for practical work for the sciences.

My Department spent in excess of €13 million in 2004 to facilitate the introduction of a revised junior science syllabus. Schools received a basic grant of €3,500 per science laboratory to enable them to provide the new curriculum. Additional funding was made available to schools where other specified equipment was required. In addition, certain schools identified as needing new or refurbished science laboratories as a result of a 1998 national survey received funding. Funding is also available this year to schools that have yet to apply for the basic grant of €3,500 per science laboratory and for other specified equipment to enable them to provide the new curriculum. Schools have also received funding under the summer works scheme in 2004 and 2005 to refurbish science laboratories.

Following the report of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education and Science, the then Minister for Education and Science established a task force on the physical sciences to address the declining uptake therein. Its March 2002 report identified six action areas, namely, planning and resources; equity, teaching and learning, curriculum and assessment, promotion of science and transition and integration into third level. My Department continues to progress the recommendations of the task force on the physical sciences as resources permit in collaboration and consultation with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Forfás and industry.

Significant progress has been made in a range of areas pertaining to my Department. For example, a new science curriculum was introduced at primary level supported by a resource grant of €1,000 per school plus €10 per pupil in December 2004 and revised syllabi in junior certificate science and in leaving certificate physics, chemistry and biology have been introduced. Work on the revision of the two remaining leaving certificate subjects, agricultural science and combined physics and chemistry, is well advanced. The introduction of the revised syllabi has been supported by comprehensive in-service programmes for teachers, a review of grading of subjects in the leaving certificate and initial reports on teacher training have been undertaken, a review of mathematics at post-primary level is being undertaken by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment and investment in the programme of research in third level institutes is continuing apace to enhance and promote world class standards in research, innovation and development.

Between this programme and the various grants to the research councils and other sources, an estimated €101.5 million will be invested in third level institutions in 2005. The discover science and engineering programme, operated under the aegis of Forfás with the collaboration of the education sector, was launched in October 2003 to bring together existing science awareness activities in a unified strategy. I have recently announced a provision of €750,000 towards the cost of the BA Festival of Science, which is being hosted by Trinity College, Dublin this year. This is one of the world's leading science events and will be attended by some 3,000 delegates, with an estimated 7,000 to 10,000 people enjoying some part of the programme. I can assure the Deputy that I will continue to keep this area under review.