Vol. 539 No. 1
427 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science the measures he will introduce to ensure disadvantaged schools have the same access to new technologies as set out in the schools IT 2000 policy framework document. [18712/01]
428 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the promise in the IT 2000 policy framework document that schools in disadvantaged areas will not be let fall behind schools with access to greater resources; and if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that there remains a gap between different types of schools. [18713/01]
430 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has reviewed the lack of access to new technology in disadvantaged schools; and if he will tailor new announcements under the ICT grant aid for primary schools so that the funding reflects the difficulty of disadvantaged schools in terms of raising their own money through voluntary fund-raising. [18716/01]
431 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science when he will disburse the additional £81 million allocated in 1999 for the extension of the IT 2000 schools project; and if he will ensure there is greater funding for those schools coping with disadvantage. [18717/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 427, 428, 430 and 431 together.
As the Deputy will be aware schools designated under the disadvantaged area scheme receive a number of enhanced or extra supports aimed at alleviating the effects of disadvantage. These supports include a number of additional teacher and non-pay allocations. My Department's Schools IT 2000 programme, launched in 1998, involved a number of initiatives designed specifically to integrate modern information and communications technology into teaching and learning at first and second levels. More than £40 million has been spent on the programme to date from central funds and, in addition, a further £21 million has been invested by public and private sector partners in the overall venture.
The objectives behind Schools IT 2000 were to put in place a permanent infrastructure to ensure all students would have the opportunity to achieve computer literacy and to equip themselves for participation in the information society. Another objective was to give support to teachers in developing and renewing professional skills to enable them to utilise information and communications technologies as part of the learning environment of the school.
A 1998 survey of information and communications technology infrastructure in first and second level schools showed that schools in designated disadvantaged areas had, more computers than those not so designated. It was, therefore, decided to distribute the Schools IT 2000 capital allocation on a universal basis across the first and second level sectors. A later survey, conducted by the NCTE in May 2000, following disbursement of most of the Schools IT 2000 capital allocation, showed that schools in disadvantaged areas still maintained a favourable computer to pupil ratio over other schools, at first level 13.3:1 compared to 16.3 :1 and at second level of 14.7:1 compared to 20.2 :1. Furthermore, this survey demonstrated that there were no significant differences in the levels of information and communications technology skills or of participation in related training courses between teachers in schools designated as disadvantaged and those not designated.
429 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will consider giving a grant to teachers who purchase computers for their homes as is the case in other countries. [18714/01]
The issue of a grant to teachers to purchase computers is currently the subject of a claim by the three teacher unions at the Teachers Conciliation Council. As issues before the council are a matter solely for the council, it would not be appropriate for me to make a statement on the matter at this time.
Questions Nos. 430 and 431 answered with Question No. 427.
