asked the Minister for Education if she is satisfied that preference is being given by her Department in the purchase of Irish computers by vocational education committees and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Computer Purchases.
509.
In 1981 my Department informed vocational education committees that all proposals for the purchase of computer software or hardware must be submitted for my prior written sanction. At present my Department is examining proposals from a number of vocational education committees for the purchase of computer equipment having regard, among other things, to the question of whether individual purchase or bulk purchase would be the more appropriate.
Due regard will be given to computers of Irish manufacture within the context of the appropriate contract regulations.
510.
asked the Minister for Education if County Galway Vocational Education Committee have applied for sanction to purchase a Digital computer; and, if so, when the application will be approved.
County Galway Vocational Education Committee has requested sanction for the purchase of a brand-named computer system. The request is being considered in the context of requests from a number of vocational education committees for the supply of computer facilities.
511.
asked the Minister for Education the procedures adopted for the granting of sanction to each vocational education committee relating to the purchase of computer equipment for administrative requirements.
Each vocational education committee involved is required to submit its proposals to the Department for sanction. The proposals are then examined in my Department having regard to cost, the committee's needs, etc., and also in the context of other committee's requirements from the point of view of whether individual purchase or bulk-purchase would be the more appropriate.
512.
asked the Minister for Education whether her Department is giving preference to IBM computers as recommended in a report (details supplied) for Dublin VEC at a cost of £100,000 approximately for a configuration which can be suppied by Digital Limited, Galway, for £21,000 per system.
No decision has yet been taken by my Department in relation to the type of computer equipment to be approved for County Dublin Vocational Education Committee.