I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Moynihan, for joining us.

I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House which gives me a chance to discuss this issue. I am delighted that this Commencement matter has finally been accepted at the fourth time of asking. I am raising an issue relating to STEM funding. I raised this issue following growing concerns across County Laois and the midlands regarding the future of the STEM education programme and in particular the funding of the STEM engagement officer role.

A few weeks ago, we were all celebrating the incredible success of the Rosenallis National School robotics team which represented Ireland at the VEX Robotics World Championship in Missouri. These were pupils from a small rural school in County Laois competing on the world stage and making their community enormously proud. While we celebrate their achievement, the very supports that helped make that possible are now facing an uncertain future.

In recent months, I have been contacted by schools, teachers and parents who are deeply concerned about what will happen if funding for the STEM engagement officer role is not continued. One letter in particular from The Swan National School, which is a three-teacher rural school with just 29 pupils, really struck me. They described how difficult it was to fully capture the impact the programme had on their school community. They spoke about the skills gained by the pupils, the enthusiasm for learning, the confidence built through teamwork and problem-solving and the excitement visible on children's faces as they experienced both success and setbacks together. This is what education should be about. I know this is an area the Minister of State is passionate about as well.

What also stood out to me was the school's observation that while team sports receive significant funding and support, they do not appeal to every child. Programmes like VEX Robotics provide another avenue for children to experience teamwork, achievement and belonging. Laois does not have any university campus providing ongoing STEM outreach and support. Schools in County Laois rely heavily on initiatives under different funding models to ensure children have access to opportunities that children elsewhere may take for granted.

During the recent national conference on education, children from schools across Laois identified VEX Robotics as one of the reasons they enjoy coming to school. Let that sit for a minute. At a time when we are hearing about attendance challenges and student well-being, children themselves are telling us that these programmes make school more enjoyable and meaningful. Surely we should be listening to that. Investment in STEM education is not simply an investment in schools; it is an investment in the future workforce, future employment and future economic development of Laois and the midlands region. Under the Just Transition Fund, four midlands counties, namely, Laois, Offaly, Westmeath and Longford, received €100,000 worth of equipment to roll out STEM engagement programmes. Nearly 5,500 students have benefited from STEM activities and equipment across four midland counties, with County Laois making up for one third of that number. This funding has now ended. I am asking the Minister of State to provide clarity on the future of the STEM engagement officer role and the STEM projects that were funded under this initiative; outline what discussions are taking place regarding replacing the fund; and, most importantly, ensure that the opportunities currently available to those children across Laois and the midlands are not lost. We should be building on the success of these projects and not allowing them to disappear.

I thank the Senator very much. I welcome the opportunity to address Seanad Éireann.

The promotion of STEM and digital learning within our education system is a key priority in the Department. This is reflected in multiple strategy documents, such as the STEM Education Policy statement, Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 and Ireland’s Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy Strategy 2024-2033: Every Learner from Birth to Young Adulthood.

STEM stretches across all aspects of today's world and the innovation that emerges from these fields underpins much of the economic development leading to the establishment of creative, enterprising and rewarding careers. Our education system plays a key role in encouraging and equipping learners with the knowledge, skills and basics to effect these changes. The goal is to ensure all learners, whether they are male, female or from whatever gender background, have access to high-quality STEM learning that prepares them for success in the modern world. It supports children's capacity to understand and engage fully with the world around them and enables them to benefit from learning about and working with traditional, contemporary and emerging technologies.

I commend the work being done by the STEM project co-ordinators in the midlands regional positions that were funded under the EU just transition programme. I listened carefully to the comments the Senator made in relation to The Swan National School and others. I know the engagement is there and has been transformative. I understand the points she made in relation to teambuilding for all students. The positions were funded under the EU Just Transition Fund and the Department of Education and Youth has no role in it. The Senator will appreciate that the Department receives many requests in relation to support funding for initiatives, projects, resources, books, etc. Given the range of funding already provided, the Department is not in a position to replace this funding. However, I will undertake to go back and engage with this to see if there is a way. The Department will not be able to do so; it was funded under the just transition fund. We will engage and possibly come back to the Senator with some clarity on it.

Under the STEM Education Policy Statement 2017-2026, the Department continues to provide support for STEM, including the STEM-related curriculum reform; ongoing provision of STEM professional development; guidelines for STEM partnerships between schools and businesses and industry; partnership with Research Ireland to support education and public engagement projects in STEM; and ongoing support of informal STEM education projects, such as the Young Scientist Technology Exhibition, Science Blast and iWish. These initiatives inspire thousands of learners each year and help to promote creative problem-solving and teamwork in a fun and engaging way. I take the point that the Senator made in relation to teamwork. There are many facets of teamwork, not just in sport but right across the system. I take that point very seriously. The Department has been in correspondence with the local authorities concerned and has outlined how there may be other possibilities of funding elsewhere. The STEM Education Policy Statement 2017-2026 makes it clear that STEM learning is not limited to schools. It happens in a variety of spaces such as homes, museums, coding workshops and workplaces. Inclusivity is also a core principle underpinning the Department's education strategy and the policy statement highlights the importance of broad, accessible learning experiences across all settings.

I will come back to the Senator with some final comments.

I thank the Minister of State. He has made the case for the benefits of the STEM education programme even more clear from his remarks. The benefits it has for students are absolutely fantastic. I have to say, however, there would be an awful lot of students, teachers and parents absolutely devastated across the midlands if this funding were not due to be replaced with something else. I am asking - pleading, really - that the Minister of State goes back to the drawing board on this one and tries to see whether there is a different avenue. We do not have the facilities other big counties have. We are a very rural county, and the midlands gets neglected in a lot of areas. This is an area in which we are thriving. This school went to the world robotics competition in Missouri and won an award. We have to try to protect this. It is a very small amount of money if we look into the figures for the STEM engagement officer role for Laois County Council; I am asking, please. We are having a civic reception for this fantastic robotics team in Laois County Council tonight. The Minister of State is welcome to come along to see these amazing students. I ask him to try to find a solution.

I wish them the very best of good luck. It is a huge achievement on the robotics competition in Missouri as well. Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend the civic reception this evening but the Senator might convey my congratulations to all concerned, particularly the students.

Inclusive education is all about ensuring that everybody's strengths are being harnessed within the education system and encouraging students across all levels. Education is the great enabler, both at primary and post-primary school, to give people confidence into adulthood and into life. Many comments are made in relation to our education system. Our education system is world class and has been very successful; it is a great enabler. This is a hugely inclusive piece as well. I will reflect on it. It falls under the just transition fund, but we will go back to see if there is any other source to which we could direct it. I wish the Senator's school and, indeed, everybody else who is involved in it the very best.