Vol. 525 No. 3
317 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the progress being made in relation to the implementation of full free information technology facilities including internet access through libraries throughout the country; when there will be full coverage of such facilities in all libraries; and if he will set out the projected expenditure in this regard in the coming years. [25000/00]
In 1999, my Department, in conjunction with the Information Society Commission, provided grant aid of over £1.5 million for the installation of 783 Internet PCs for public access in 277 of the 324 branches that comprise the public library network. A further £800,000 has been allocated this year which will provide approximately 400 additional Internet PC's. An Chomhairle Leabharlanna, funded with an information society grant of £70,000, has recently recruited six trainers to pro vide training to library authority staff across the country in the use of Internet PCs.
I have also launched a pilot scheme in six public libraries for the provision of optical scanners for the visually impaired. Following the assessment of this scheme, I expect that over 100 optical scanners will be installed in public libraries. My Department, in conjunction with the Information Society Commission, will provide total grant aid of approximately £375,000 in this regard.
Question No. 318 taken with Question No. 104.
