Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 5 Dec 2000

Vol. 527 No. 3

Written Answers. - Information and Communications Technology.

Jack Wall

Question:

377 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the grants that are available to secondary schools to update their computers in view of the fact that many are now outdated and are only in functional condition due to the amount of effort by the teachers of such classes; if he will provide capital grants for the updating of such essential equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28312/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

My Department has in place number of supports and schemes promoting information and communications technology – ICT – developments in schools.

Since the inception of the schools IT 2000 programme in 1998, the ratio of computers to pupils in second level schools has decreased from 17:1 to 13:1 and I intend to decrease this ratio still further. My Department, through the National Centre for Technology in Education, is constantly reviewing ICT needs in education and will continue to provide funding for the best ICT available for education having regard to best practice in the field.

All new second level schools recognised for grant purposes under the free education scheme are eligible for grant-aid under the technology integration initiative – TII – of schools IT 2000 to support the equipment and Internet connectivity needs of the career guidance service in the amount of £1,850 for schools with up to 799 pupils and £3,700 for schools with larger enrolments. A further grant of £2 per pupil was given for the development of school administration systems.

Existing second level schools which establish a special class or classes are also eligible for a grant of £1,500 plus £20 per pupil in the special classes. A special fund is also in place to cater for the ICT needs of individual special needs pupils, including those who are fully integrated into ordinary classes.

ICT equipment is also provided to support the work of each full-time teacher in the visiting teachers for travellers service. This scheme is being extended in the current year to cover the work of visiting teachers for children with disabilities.

My Department also operates a grants scheme for the purchase of equipment, including computer equipment, for second level pupils with serious physical and-or communicative disabilities. The provision for this scheme is £370,000.

In addition to the above, the Department supplies computers, printers, peripherals and software in all instances where a computer room is being provided as part of a new school or a school extension. The Department also responds to needs presented by schools generally for computer equipment based on priority of need.

An amount of £640,000 has been provided under the school administration project in the current year for the purpose of assisting second level schools in acquiring information technology equipment and software for administration purposes.

Grants up to a maximum of £22,000, which are mainly for the purchase of IT equipment, are available to schools on introducing the leaving certificate vocational programme and-or the leaving certificate applied. All second level schools running post leaving certificate – PLC – courses receive an annual equipment-materials capitation grant of £146 per pupil.