ICT Ireland yesterday welcomed a 5 per cent increase in the number of students who took higher level science subjects in this year's Leaving Certificate.

But the lobby group for the technology industry said the numbers were still low compared to other subjects. The body also warned that it was too early to say if the decline in interest in science subjects had been reversed.

Some 15,433 pupils sat a higher level exam in either physics, chemistry or engineering in 2003, up from 14,693 in 2002.

ICT Ireland also highlighted that there was an improvement in overall grades for higher physics, chemistry and engineering subjects. Some 17.7 per cent of students achieved an A grade at higher level physics, up from 13.4 per cent in 2002, it said.

Mr Tim McCarthy, chairman of ICT Ireland's education working group, said the results showed encouraging signs for the future skills base for the ICT sector in the Republic.

But the numbers of people taking science-related subjects was still relatively low when compared with other subjects. For example, more people took higher level art and home economics in this year's Leaving than took chemistry, physics or engineering, said Mr McCarthy.

ICT Ireland said it was pleased that more than 1,000 students had applied for technology-related university courses this year when compared with 2002.

Some 8,269 students chose a technology or engineering course as their first preference this year, up from 7,228 last year.

Mr McCarthy said this was welcome, but added that it was too early to state that the decline in interest in science-related subjects had been reversed.

The decline in interest among students in recent years has been a major cause for concern of policymakers recently. About 100,000 people are employed in the Irish IT sector and exports accounted for €31 billion in 2002.