The disappointing leaving cert results in maths and science are yet more proof that bonus points are urgently required in these areas, Fine Gael Innovation Spokesperson Deirdre Clune TD warned.

These results in maths, science and business are disappointing, and in some cases there has been a clear deterioration. Take-up in honours maths is down, the failure rate is up and the general outcome for science subjects is not what a Smart Economy demands.

The Taoiseach and Minister for Education should read the recommendations of the Innovation Task Force: ‘an education system that fosters independent thinking, creativity and innovation is vital to the Smart Economy…we need to raise competence and attainment in maths and sciences at second level to feed into third and fourth level’.

These results do not deliver on those ambitions. There are plenty of opportunities to achieve a Smart Economy, but the silence from the Government is alarming.

We need action now by introducing bonus points for maths, and the authorities must immediately start working with teachers to develop competence in science and maths.

Young people are not getting any clear message from the Government about the importance of science and maths. The time for reports and consultation is over – we need immediate action. Our education system has served us well in the past but it is not fit for a country that wants ‘to position itself as an International Innovation Hub’, as the Taoiseach himself stated.