Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 103: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the support available for young innovators, in particular the successful exhibitors in the Young Scientist Exhibition. [8721/09]

Jimmy Devins (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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Young innovators and in particular the successful exhibitors in the Young Scientist Exhibition have many options open to them in terms of further education, careers in science or in enterprise. One of the first challenges must be to maintain the interest of such talented young persons in science, technology or engineering. The Discover Science and Engineering (DSE) Programme, which is administered by Forfás on behalf of my Department, continues to promote study in the priority areas of science, engineering and technology. The programme is now gearing up to replicate at second level the success it has had with programmes like Discover Primary Science at primary level, and is extending its reach to promote maths as a key underpinning discipline.

DSE continues to work closely with BT in organising and promoting the annual Young Scientist Competition. DSE uses the opportunity of its presence to demonstrate the approaches encompassed in the new Science, Engineering and now maths curricula through a continuously running set of workshops.

For students still at second level, the Student Enterprise Awards scheme (SEA) is a practical enterprise programme developed by the County and City Enterprise Boards to give second level students the opportunity to develop their own business. The objective of the programme is to encourage students to consider entrepreneurship as a future career choice and to enhance their entrepreneurial skills.

As they move into third level, the Enterprise Ireland Student Enterprise Awards offer students from all academic disciplines the chance to realise their entrepreneurial ambitions. Sponsored by Enterprise Ireland, Invest Northern Ireland and Cruickshank Intellectual Property Attorneys, the Student Enterprise Awards are Ireland's largest and longest established third level student enterprise competition designed to promote innovation and entrepreneurship amongst third level students.

Science Foundation Ireland operates a stand and also sponsors one of the prizes at the Young Scientist Exhibition each year. For those who choose to pursue a career in research, the SFI 'President of Ireland Young Researcher Award' (PIYRA) is Science Foundation Ireland's most prestigious award for young researchers to carry out their research in third level institutions in Ireland. The programme commenced in 2004 and the awards recognize outstanding engineers and scientists who, early in their careers, have already demonstrated or shown exceptional potential for leadership at the frontiers of knowledge.

For innovative individuals who wish to start a business, a wide range of supports is available through the County Enterprise Boards or through Enterprise Ireland. These range from advisory supports to intense support for High Potential Start-Up companies, and supports to help companies grow and prosper. These also include support with commercialisation of ideas and protection of intellectual property.

My colleague, the Minister for Education and Science, provides funding of €400,000 annually towards the running costs of the BT Young Scientist and Technology exhibition, €35,000 towards the Young Social Innovators programme, and also funds the provision of a full-time co-ordinator in the Business in the Community initiative in disadvantaged areas. These programmes are successful in motivating students to develop their research, planning, evaluation, teamwork, self-directed learning, science and enterprise skills in keeping with the objectives of the curriculum, as well as providing the opportunity to showcase their skills and meet like minded peers. Schools provide extensive support to prepare students for participation in programmes such as the BT Young Scientist, the Student Enterprise Awards, Young Social Innovators, and Technology Exhibition, and Business in the Community Initiatives, and co-operate extensively to help the operation of these measures.

Further actions in the Framework for Sustainable Economic Renewal which will foster innovation among young people, including the commitment to link Young Scientist winners with a third level institution and/or a firm to enable them to bring their idea to development and to provide the top three finalists with laboratory/research space in universities during the summer, are being developed under the aegis of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Recovery.