Laois STEM lessons to end as Just Transition fund dries up

Laois councillors are urging the Minister for Education Hildegarde Naughton to find another source of cash to keep STEM workshops going in the county.

The Just Transition fund had paid for 18 months of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths projects, but it will shut down in March 2026.

Laois County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Barry Walsh is leading the call.

"A huge investment happened in Laois and great progress was made. It has caused a rise in more girls than boys studying STEM subjects, 55% compared to 45%.

"We have special STEM programmes for neurodiverse students. The workshops encourage social inclusion, and integration for Travellers and early leavers, they have so many benefits. Seanie Morris the facilitator in Laois is very passionate, it would be very disappointing on my behalf, to see it finish. I have personally seen in Ballyroan how my own kids are involved.

"With the way the world is heading to digitalisation, I encourage the Government to look at another funding model," he said.

His motion tells Minister Naughton that the new funding is needed for labour only, as most of the equipment has been bought already under the JT fund. 

The Laois STEM program recently won a national award.

Cllr John Joe Fennelly seconds it.

"We should look at a funding extension, it's supposed to finish in March. We all agree it should go on," he said.

One Laois councillor however recently expressed reservations about teaching STEM technology to young children. 

Cllr Padraig Fleming described the excitement at one of the VEX robotics competitions.

"I've seen the joy of 200 pupils from schools all around the county, the excitement," he said.

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Cllr John King said it was "Meccano years ago", and is "a wonderful thing" in schools.