Martin Daly urges action on STEM gender gap during Science Week

A Minister. Science Week celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, marking three decades of encouraging curiosity, innovation and public engagement with science. But Science Week is more than a calendar of events. It's a reminder that science underpins almost every aspect of modern life, our health, our climate change response, our economy, our infrastructure and the daily choices we make as individuals and communities. And this year's team, then, today, tomorrow, invites us to reflect on the progress we've made, the challenges we face and the kind of scientific future we want to build. As a doctor, I'm reminded daily that science is not an academic concept, it's the practical foundation of modern healthcare. It's the diagnostics, the treatments, the evidence and the technology that allows us to deliver better outcomes for patients. Science shows up in every decision we make in practice and this is not unique to medicine. Whether we're talking about agriculture, manufacturing, communications or energy, science is embedded in the practical everyday functioning of our society. And that is why Science Week is so important. It brings science into the public square and strengthens the connection between innovation and ordinary life. However, when we talk about the future of science in Ireland, we must address one of the most persistent challenges, that is the under-representation of women across key scientific fields. We know the pattern. In early education, girls show just as much interest and ability in science as boys. But somewhere between secondary school, higher education and postgraduate research, we see a narrowing pipeline. This isn't because girls lose interest, too often the system loses them. And the consequences of that under-representation aren't abstract. Women shape the quality of our research, the fairness of our systems and the safety of our innovations. When women are not fully included in shaping scientific questions, designing algorithms or leading research teams, the solutions we produce risk reflecting only part of society and has real-world implications. Historically, medical research often excluded women, leading to gaps in diagnostic understanding and treatment. One example is the under-diagnosis of acute heart attack in women because of different symptoms. Early voice recognition technology struggled to recognise female voices because of data sets were skewed. And even today, AI systems can replicate biases if teams lack diversity. These are reminders that direction science takes is not neutral by default, it is shaped by who is at the table. And if women are not fully represented, we all feel the impact. I spoke to many bright young women in schools across Roscombe and Galway, students who are curious, engaged and ambitious. They are interested in engineering, in medicine, in technology and research. But they still tell me they don't see enough people who look like them in these careers. And that visibility matters. Role models matter, mentorship matters, pathways matter. And if we want to inspire the next generation, we need to signal clearly that science in Ireland is for everyone, not defined by gender, postcode or background. And if we are serious about widening the pipeline, we must confront the structural barriers that still shape girls' access to STEM. I am going to repeat what Deputy Cummins said as well, but I think it is worth repeating. A recent survey of 2300 transition year students highlights the stark differences. 55% of girls in single-sex schools say limited subject choice is a barrier, compared with 37% in mixed schools. 46% of girls say limited subject options more broadly as a barrier to STEM careers. And the contrast in access is striking. Just 5% of girls in all girls' schools can study construction studies, compared with 84% in mixed settings. And only 6% can take engineering, compared to 74% of their peers. Nationally, the pattern persists with 71% of girls' schools offering only one additional STEM subject beyond maths or science, compared with 96% of boys' schools. And these gaps matter. Early exposure shapes confidence ambition and opportunity. And until access is equal, participation can't be. This is particularly important for rural Ireland. The future of Irish science is not and should not be urban-centric. We have extraordinary potential in the West of Ireland. World-class med tech clusters, agricultural innovation, digital health research and a strong network of universities and higher institutes linked to industry producing genuinely world-class work. But potential needs support. It needs investment in research capacity, educational outreach and infrastructure that ensures scientific opportunity is truly national. The recent budget shows this Government support for research and development, with Minister Lawless instrumental in increasing the amount of tax relief available to businesses undertaking research and development activities in the State. And the threshold for first-year refunds in the R&D tax credit scheme, which will increase to €87,000 for smaller projects. I know Minister Lawless' commitment to the concept of our higher-level educational establishments linking with industry to create technology and jobs of tomorrow. Rural Ireland should not be the last place to benefit from innovation. It should be the driver of it. From a healthcare perspective, this is especially clear. We cannot deliver 21st century medicine with 20th century systems. Our ability to diagnose early, treat effectively and deliver care in the right place at the right time depends on investment in evidence-based practice, digital health, data systems and modern medical technologies. Science and medicine advance together. And when science progresses, patient outcomes improve. So as we celebrate 30 years of Science Week, we should think not only about the discoveries that have brought us here, but the kind of scientific culture we want to build for the next 30 years. A culture that supports curiosity. A culture that welcomes women and men equally. A culture that recognises the value of rural innovation. A culture that sees science not as something distant or elite, but as a shared national project. And my message today is simple. Science is not a spectator sport. It requires investment, participation and public engagement. It requires us to inspire young people, especially our young girls, to step into fields where their talents are needed. And it requires us to ensure the benefits of scientific progress reach every community in Ireland, not just a few. And to educators, researchers and community groups, and industry partners who make Science Week possible each year, thank you. To the students taking part, keep asking questions and keep challenging assumptions. And to the girls in our schools who are wondering whether science is for them, let me say this clearly. Science is absolutely for you. Ireland needs your ideas, your leadership, and your voice. Then, today, tomorrow, and here's to the next 30 years of science, and to the people who will shape it. Thank you Deputy.