Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 55: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of recommendations of the task force on physical sciences which have yet to be progressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19846/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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There were some 39 recommendations in the Report of the Task Force on the Physical Sciences, with costed proposals totalling an additional €244 million, of which €66.3 million would be a recurring annual cost. Of the 39 recommendations, 4 are not for the education sector. Of the remainder, progress has been made on implementing 25 of the recommendations and my Department continues to progress the recommendations as resources permit in collaboration and consultation with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, FORFAS and industry.

Significant progress has been made in a range of areas e.g.

∙A new science curriculum has been introduced at primary level supported by a resource grant in December 2004 of €1000 per school plus €10.00 per pupil.

∙A revised syllabus in Junior Certificate Science was introduced in 2003 and will be examined for the first time in June 2006. Revised syllabi in Leaving Certificate Physics, Chemistry and Biology have also been introduced and examined within the last five years. Work on the revision of the two remaining Leaving Certificate subjects — Agricultural Science and Physics and Chemistry (combined) — is well advanced. The introduction of each of the revised syllabi has been supported by comprehensive in-service programmes for teachers.

∙Additional equipment grants have been provided to schools, and laboratories continue to be refurbished as part of the ongoing school building programme. In that context, €16 million was issued to schools in 2004 to support the implementation of the revised Junior Certificate Science syllabus.

∙A review of grading of subjects in the Leaving Certificate and initial reports on teacher training have been undertaken.

∙A review of mathematics at second level is being undertaken by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA).

∙Investment in the Programme of Research in Third Level Institutes (PRTLI) 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, some €102.5 million was invested in third level institutions in 2005.

I have no plans at present to make provision for laboratory technicians at primary and second level. The estimated cost of providing technicians at second level in the Task Force report was €18.8m per annum at 2002 prices. Provision of technicians in this area would undoubtedly lead to demands for similar assistance across other areas of the curriculum where there is a strong practical component. It is my understanding that the availability of laboratory technicians has not been a universal feature of support for science teaching in second level schools and that in some countries that do provide this type of resource it is confined to certain types of schools. However, I will keep the general issue of technical assistance for schools under review in the light of available resources.

The other major measure proposed in the Task Force Report which has not been implemented was the investment of €142.8m capital at 2002 prices in the stock of laboratories and equipment for science in post primary schools. Funds of this order are not available. However the investment of €16m in 2004 enabled schools to implement the revised Junior Certificate Science syllabus, and the revised syllabus is now mandatory for all schools except those which have been given a derogation on the basis of inadequate facilities. Only four schools have sought a derogation to date, and their needs are being examined and addressed by my Department's Building Unit.

Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 56: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of second-level schools offering biology to leaving certificate level, itemised according to whether they are single or mixed-sex schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19845/06]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 73: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of second-level schools offering chemistry to leaving certificate level, itemised according to whether they are single or mixed-sex schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19844/06]

Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 76: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of second-level schools offering physics to leaving certificate level, itemised according to whether they are single or mixed-sex schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19843/06]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 90: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of second-level schools offering music to the junior certificate; the number of second-level schools offering music to both the junior and leaving certificate; if she will provide this information according to which schools are single-sex and which are mixed-sex schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19840/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 56, 73, 76 and 90 together.

500 second-level schools offer music in junior cycle. Of these, 199 are single-sex schools and 301 are mixed-sex schools. 535 second-level schools offer music in both junior cycle and senior cycle. Of these, 211 are single-sex schools and 324 are mixed-sex schools. 559 second-level schools offer physics in senior cycle. Of these, 231 are single-sex schools and 328 are mixed-sex schools. 554 second-level schools offer chemistry in senior cycle. Of these, 238 are single-sex school and 316 are mixed-sex schools. 691 second-level schools offer biology in senior cycle. Of these, 255 are single-sex schools and 436 are mixed-sex schools.