Richard Bruton
Ceist:279 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will outline the full range of questions put to schools in the survey of science equipment at second level. [16473/00]
Written Answers. - Science Equipment.
I am arranging to have a copy of the questionnaire that issued to all post-primary schools in relation to the science survey forwarded directly to the Deputy within the next few days.
Richard Bruton
Ceist:280 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the way in which all boys schools, all girls schools and mixed schools compare in respect of the availability of science equipment as revealed by the Department's survey of second level schools. [16474/00]
The recent science survey conducted by my Department was not designed to compare the availability of science equipment and facilities in all boys' schools, all girls' schools and mixed schools. Accordingly, the information requested by the Deputy is not available.
Decisions on capital grants for laboratory facilities and science resources are made to schools on the basis of planned educational needs rather than pupil gender.
Richard Bruton
Ceist:281 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the analysis and evaluation which underpinned the assessment of the £13 million needed for investment in upgrading science facilities in second level schools. [16475/00]
The assessment of the amount of money needed to enhance the science facilities in schools was made on the basis of a survey undertaken in 1998-99.
The assessment of the £13 million needed for investment in upgrading science facilities in second level schools was based on: (i) the uptake of the subjects in each of the science areas and (ii)estimates of the costs of upgrading science laboratory resources in schools which was informed by the current costs of supply of standard equipment lists for science laboratories in schools.
Because of a need to obtain more detailed information on the needs of individual schools it was decided to undertake a comprehensive survey of science resources in schools by issuing a questionnaire to all second level schools.
An executive summary of the main findings of the report will be published later in the summer.
Richard Bruton
Ceist:282 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science his Department's Estimate of the cost of freshly equipping a laboratory for a second level school of 540 pupils which intends to offer biology, physics and chemistry; and if he will state the main items of equipment and their estimated cost. [16476/00]
A list of equipment for use in science laboratories will be forwarded directly to the Deputy within the next few days.
The level of science facilities required by a school is based not on the school's total enrolment but rather on the number of students pursuing each of the science subjects. Accordingly, the actual cost of equipping laboratories can vary significantly depending on the number of laboratories to be provided, the range of equipment selected by the school's managerial authorities from the approved list of equipment, and related issues. In general, my Department provides between £30,000 to £35,000 to a school's management authority to equip one science laboratory.
Funding for equipping science laboratories is an integral element of a building project in which science facilities are being provided.