Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 574: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of staff in his Department, including their grades and responsibilities, charged with promoting science and technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17455/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Education and Science is responsible for provision, funding, policy and quality assurance of first and second level schools across the totality of the school curriculum, and for the provision of further and higher education across a wide spectrum of disciplines. My Department's Inspectorate, Qualifications Curriculum and Assessment Policy Unit, Teacher Education Section, Higher Education sections, and Schools ICT Policy Unit, together with the Planning and Building Unit all have a role in progressing the national agenda regarding science and technology in their respective spheres, in addition to other aspects of the curriculum. It is not feasible therefore to isolate staff numbers and grades whose role is uniquely the promotion of science and technology. However the key co-ordination points are the Principal Officers in the Qualifications Curriculum and Assessment Policy Unit and the Higher Education sections of the Department.