The government's lack of money to build the required number of laboratories is the reason why science is not compulsory in Irish secondary schools.

This is according to Education Minister Ruairi Quinn, who was speaking at Tullamore College in County Offaly, where he had been learning about the college's new internet link with other classes in Ireland, Germany and the US, the Irish Independent reports.

Mr Quinn explained the government does not have the money to construct a lab in all of Ireland's second-level schools - of which there are 723.

It was noted that every one of these schools would need a lab in order for the subject to be made compulsory - but he went on to point out that it is about time that the issue of core subjects was given a rethink.

"I think we should be looking at what are the core subjects upon which you can build a base for further education," he added.

Written by Donal Walsh

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