This article is from page 16 of the 2013-01-15 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 16 JPG
A PROPOSAL to provide an annual award for budding scientists and a scholarship for postgraduates was declined at last night’s (Monday) meeting of Clare County Council. Instead it was agreed that the proposal be sent to Clare VEC and the two local universities for their considerations.
The three councillors that suggested the annual award of € 1,000 “to acknowledge creative proposals from Young Scientists” at Secondary School level and a € 3,000 scholarship, for postgraduate research into a previously undeveloped resource “which could lead to substantial employment within the county”, expressed their disappointment with the move.
Cllr PJ Kelly (FF) said it was no “wonder people were despondent with politics” given the answer from the council executive. He added, “We have to show faith and hope in our young people.”
Cllr Tom McNamara (FF) was equally disappointed that the council did not come on board with the idea.
Cllr Gabriel Keating (FG), however, was willing to support Director of Services Ger Dollard’s suggestion that the idea be forwarded to other state bodies due to financial constraints.
Cllr Keating also proposed the issue be included in the 2014 budget.
Mr Dollard told the council members that the BT Young Scientists already played a role in encouraging scientific projects among second level students in the county.
“This offers an opportunity to secondary school students to progress creative ideas within a well established framework and structure,” he said. “It should be pointed out that no provision has been made for such schemes in the budget for 2013. It is suggested that the motion should be referred to the VEC in regard to secondary school involvement and to UL and NUIG with regard to third level input. These bodies have the appropriate expertise to progress any such scheme,” added the council official.
The council body agreed with Mr Dollard’s alternative proposal.