Michael Ring
Question:202 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a television and computer for a school (details supplied) in County Mayo which is located in a disadvantaged area. [12599/97]
Written Answers. - Computerisation Programme.
As recently announced, 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, titled "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 actions in three key areas: (i) teacher training and support; (ii) classroom resources and infrastructure and (iii) policy research. Details of the project have been communicated to schools.
With regard to the provision of a television, the capitation grant is intended to meet the cost of such items. In that context, I should point out that since taking office I have made significant improvements in the level of funding for primary schools. The standard rate of capitation grant has been increased from a level of £28 in 1992 to its present level of £45 per pupil, an increase of more than 60 per cent. The matter of further increases in the grant is kept under constant review.