I propose to take Questions Nos. 222 and 223 together.
Funds are available to schools from my Department either to initiate or further enhance information and communication technology (ICT) development under a number of schemes as follows:
1. Schools IT 2000 Project
All recognised primary schools and all second-level schools recognised for grant purposes under the free education scheme are eligible for grant aid under Strand I of the technology integration initiative (TII) of Schools IT 2000 as follows:
Ordinary Schools: A basic grant of £2,000 plus £5 per pupil in ordinary classes.
Special Schools: A basic grant of £3,000 plus £20 per pupil.
All ordinary schools with one or more special classes are eligible for an additional grant of £1,500 plus £20 per pupil in the special class or classes.
The grants concerned were issued to all qualifying schools in May of this year and new schools are also being grant aided as they come into operation.
I have also put in place a special fund of £250,000 to cater for the ICT needs of individual special needs pupils, including those who are fully integrated into ordinary classes. Applications for funding from this provision are submitted by schools to the special education section of my Department and are assessed on the basis of priority of need.