Vol. 488 No. 7
401 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has to provide Gortunemra national school, Portumna, County Galway, with computer facilities as requested by the principal and board of management; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7049/98]
My Department, in partnership with Telecom Éireann, is currently distributing a questionnaire to all first and second level schools. The data obtained will provide information on the current position in all schools with regard to computer facilities. Schools IT 2000 — A Policy Framework for the New Millennium states that "each first and second level school will be assisted in acquiring at least one multimedia computer system with Internet access before the end of 1999". Additionally, Telecom Éireann has agreed to supply each school with a multimedia computer system by 1 September 1998.
The National Centre for Technology in Education — NCTE — which I have established is now, in consultation with my Department, finalising implementation plans for the procurement and distribution of multimedia computers and equipment to all schools. Also, Telecom Éireann will be in a position very shortly to commence its provision of multimedia computer systems to all schools.
