Vol. 487 No. 2
21 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will provide schools with financial assistance to help cope with the cost of telephone bills arising from the use of the Internet in view of the importance of the Internet as an educational tool and the relatively high cost of telephone bills arising from its use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3492/98]
Telecom Éireann, as part of its £10 million partnership with the Department of Education and Science, has agreed to facilitate schools seeking an Internet connection free of charge for the duration of my Department's IT 2000 project. Additionally, Telecom Éireann has agreed to fund free Internet usage levels for such schools during this period subject to specific weekly ceilings at first and second levels. The ceilings on free Internet usage levels are currently under discussion with Telecom Éireann and further details will be available in the near future. Telecom Éireann's investment in Schools IT 2000 will, therefore, help to keep telephone charges to schools at a minimum.
My Department is also planning a school pilot project in partnership with RTE and BOCAM International, whereby curricular Internet material of interest to schools can be downloaded on an off-line basis. This technology is known as datacasting and effectively provides access to Internet information without incurring telephone line charges.
