asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state, in view of the vital importance of encouraging the study of scientific subjects in secondary schools, the reasons why his Department excludes science subjects from the list of official subjects for examinations held by local authorities for the recruitment of clerical staff.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Science Subjects in Local Authority Examinations.
57.
The list of subjects in local authority examinations for the recruitment of clerical officers was determined largely by the numbers taking the various subjects in the Secondary Schools Leaving Certificate Examination. That list is at present under review in the light of present day trends in the choice of subjects by candidates at the latter examination. Where recruitment is conducted on the results of the Leaving Certificate examination, rather than by local examinations, candidates' marks in Chemistry and Physics are taken into account on the same basis as their marks in other subjects.
Would the Minister not agree that Greek is an optional subject and that there are many fewer Greek students taking general level examinations than students in science subjects? Would he not agree, in view of the fact that there are more people interested and that it is a hardship on towns and cities where science is taught, that he should reconsider this matter?
I do not disagree with what the Deputy says. We are reviewing that position at the moment and it is quite possible that a decision on the lines desired by the Deputy will be made.