Question:
81 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of meetings of the group established to investigate the decline in the take-up of science subjects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17100/01]
Written Answers. - Science Subjects.
Last October, I established a task force on the physical sciences under the chairmanship of Dr. Danny O'Hare, President Emeritus, Dublin City University. The purpose of this task force is to further support the promotion of the physical sciences at second and third levels. This promotion recognises that the development of the skills base in the area of the physical sciences has been identified as central to sustaining economic growth. The terms of reference of this task force include identification of the parameters affecting participation rates in the physical sciences and the identification of appropriate measures to redress this problem.
The task force is comprised of a consultative group with some 40 members from a broad spectrum in education and industry. It has met on four occasions to date. Positions for two task force officers were advertised and appointments made from 1 March 2001 for one year. Two smaller working groups, each with less than ten members, were also established. One of these working groups is concentrating principally on second level issues and the other on third level-industrial issues. These working groups have met on five and six occasions, respectively.
While the terms of reference of the task force require that there should be an emphasis on second level and third level education particularly, the second level working group is also attempting to take account of concerns at primary level.
Both working groups will have further meetings this month and summaries of findings to date will be presented to the consultative group on 20 June. At that point, there should be a clear identification of the relevant issues and the next phase of the work of the task force will be to prioritise these and identify ways of addressing them. The task force has worked in a systematic and logical fashion and I look forward to its interim report and its assistance, as part of the range of initiatives already in place, in addressing participation rates in the physical sciences.