Written Answers. - Education Technology Investment Fund.
Róisín Shortall
Question:
239
Ms Shortall
asked the
Minister for Education and Science
the number of schools which have applied for funding under the education technology investment fund; the number which have been approved; the number which have applications outstanding; the average or typical waiting time in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[29972/00]
The Scientific and Technological Education (Investment) Fund was established in December 1997 to develop technology education at all levels ranging from primary schools to advanced research. Sectoral allocations from the fund were agreed at the outset and schools benefited from these allocations as follows:
Schools IT 2000 Project – £25 million.The main purpose of this provision is to meet the cost of putting an information and communications technology, ICT, infrastructure in place in schools. Funding has been provided to all recognised primary, special and second level schools to support them in building up their ICT infrastructure to allow internet connectivity and access to multimedia computer systems and for the purchase of educational software for classroom use. The purchase of ICT equipment for teacher pro fessional development was also facilitated. In addition funding was provided to all second level schools to support the further development of computerised school administration systems.
Funding has also been provided to schools under this provision in the following areas: ICT needs of individual special needs pupils, the school integration project, visiting teachers for travellers service, and to resource and remedial teachers in support of their work with children with special needs.
PLC and Senior Cycle – £10 million.
PLC Courses.
Funding has been provided for investment in equipment in PLC centres delivering international teleservices and electronic technicians programmes.
Capital Project – PLC SectorFunding is being provided in respect of one project in this sector.
Senior Cycle – Physical Sciences CoursesFunding is being made available to all schools in the free education sector that offer the physical sciences at senior cycle level for the purchase of data logging equipment.
If the Deputy requires any additional information on any of the above projects, my Department will be happy to supply the necessary details.
