Vol. 518 No. 4
242 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has satisfied himself that all primary and secondary schools in Dublin 3, 5 and 9 are adequately furnished with computers and the required training and support systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11737/00]
The principal objective of Schools IT 2000 is to ensure that all schools have the necessary ICT infrastructure to enable them to cater for the needs of pupils and teachers as regards learning and teaching. I am satisfied that great progress has been made under Schools IT 2000 in providing computers and the required training and support systems for all primary and second-level schools in Dublin 3, 5 and 9 and, indeed, in the entire country.
A further £81 million is being made available over the period 2000-02. This will ensure that the following ambitious objectives are realised: wiring every school for computers; connecting classrooms to the Internet with high-speed access; increasing the ratio of computers to pupils; implementing a comprehensive ICT training programme for teachers and developing appropriate ICT technical and pedagogical support systems.
Investment in the development of ICT in education continues to be a major priority for my Department.
