Máirín Quill
Question:126 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Education the status of an application for funding for computers for St. Patrick's national school, Gardiner's Hill, Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10346/97]
Written Answers. - Computerisation Programme.
Up to now there has been no funding available specifically for the purchase of computers by primary schools. Therefore, there was no provision whereby an application in respect of St. Patrick's national school could be approved.
However, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the Government has decided to invest £30 million in a project to develop the integration of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in first and second-level education.
The project, entitled "Schools IT 2000" will run over five years until the year 2001. It will involve the development and implementation of an exciting programme to support every Irish school in making the best possible educational use of ICTs. The programme will build on the expertise and creativity which is already in evidence in Irish classrooms.
The project will target action in three key areas: (i) teacher training and support; (ii) classroom resources and infrastructure, and (iii) policy and research.
The partners in education will be fully consulted on all aspects of the project, details of which will be communicated to schools in the coming weeks.