Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 November 2023
254. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide further information on the number of science courses within technological universities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50307/23]
View answerTUs are important providers, regionally and nationally, of STEM programmes and of other higher vocational, technical, technological and professional skills programmes. They are legislatively required in so far as possible in the performance of their functions to contribute to the promotion of the scientific and technological development of the State.
All five TUs provide a comprehensive range of science and science related programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
The Qualifax website - www.qualifax.ie/courses - identifies all current available courses in Ireland's higher education institutions, as do the official websites of the individual TUs.
Under the Science or Applied Science categories, Qualifax identifies:
• 60 programmes in TU Dublin
• 51 programmes in Munster Technological University
• 31 programmes in Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest
• 91 programmes in Atlantic Technological University
• 57 programmes in South East Technological University
Further STEM related programmes can be found under "Computer/Information Technology", "Engineering / Technology", and "Green Technology" categories.
More broadly, there are a number of key strategies and initiatives in place to ensure that we meet existing and future skills demands, with a particular focus on STEM areas. These include policies designed to ensure a pipeline of suitably qualified science and technical graduates, and initiatives to equip young people and the working population more generally with the skills and capacity to meet these demands. These strategies and initiatives include the National Skills Strategy 2025, Springboard+ and the Human Capital Initiative.
