Ulick Burke
Ceist:74 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has to upgrade science facilities in second level schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11764/00]
Written Answers. - School Accommodation.
Ceist:
111 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Education and Science when he will publish the results of the national survey of schools' science facilities; the conclusions drawn from the survey; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11770/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 74 and 111 together.
A survey of science facilities was conducted to determine the state of the existing science infrastructure within second level schools, and to inform decisions concerning the optimum approach to targeting resources at schools that offer the physical science subjects.
One of the key findings of the survey was the perceived inadequacy of equipment within science laboratories. In particular, it was noted that the vast majority of schools do not use information technology facilities in the teaching of the physical sciences. In response, my Department is currently in the process of paying a grant of £1,500 to all qualifying schools to be used for acquiring items of equipment for use in the laboratory. Additionally, a grant of £2,500 is being paid to all qualifying schools for the purposes of acquiring a multi-media PC with DVD drive, printer, and related hardware and software. These latter payments are in addition to an increase by £10 in the annual capitation grant for each student studying the physical sciences. This increased grant was paid to schools for the first time at the end of last year.
A total of £12 million is being made available over a three-year period for the improvement of resources for the teaching of science on a phased basis.
The survey also revealed a need for a greater awareness among managerial authorities of schools concerning health and safety issues within science laboratories. In this context, the survey revealed that the majority of science laboratories do not have a fire extinguisher, smoke detector, first aid kit, or a fire blanket. My Department has written to all schools drawing the attention of managerial authorities to their statutory obligation under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989, to have a safety statement in place and to ensure that there are adequate safety precautions and safety equipment in place in science laboratories.
The survey revealed also that there is a need to upgrade the services within the majority of science laboratories. Accordingly, schools that currently have a capital project in architectural planning will have their science laboratories upgraded.
For all other schools that offer science subjects, consideration is being given to the most appropriate mechanisms to fund an upgrade of services within laboratories in the context of the overall needs of the school.