Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 March 2018
228. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the nature of his Department's relationship with an event (details supplied); if it makes a financial contribution to the event; if his Department will consider a similar relationship with other events which have a similar educational value; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12217/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition is a significant scientific event for students in Ireland and plays an important role in promoting the take-up of science subjects and in promoting the STEM agenda. My Department's support of the event is consistent with its policy to promote science and technology in schools, as most recently set in the Department’s STEM Education Policy Statement 2017-2026 and Implementation Plan 2017-2019 which were launched last November. The event is operated by a charitable company on which my Department has a Board representative. The company raises funding for the Exhibition from a number of sources, including the currently main sponsor, BT, and from my Department. Annual financial support of €400,000 is provided by my Department towards the cost of staging the Exhibition. Exchequer support for events such as this is subject to the availability of funding in the context of the annual budgetary process.
My Department seeks to provide support to other educational programmes and initiatives, again subject to funding availability and potential alternative sources of funding. All such applications are assessed and considered on their individual merits.
