Michael Ring
Question:263 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science when a school (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive an ICT grant for the equipment they have installed, with assistance from local fund-raising. [8590/03]
Written Answers - Computerisation Programme.
Enda Kenny
Question:265 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if an application has been received by his Department from a school (details supplied) in County Mayo regarding the funding for an information technology unit in the school; when money will be made available towards this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7620/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 263 and 265 together.
Substantial funding has been made available to schools in recent years to promote the use of information and communications technologies in teaching and learning and to prepare students for participation in the knowledge society. However, my Department is subject to budgetary constraints in 2003 and this will limit the amount of ICT capital grants which can be provided to schools this year.
The school referred to by the Deputy has received €13,535 from my Department in the past two years to fund its ICT infrastructural development. I can confirm that the school has recently written to my Department seeking additional funding and my Department is considering this request in the light of the specific needs of the school and funding availability under the schools ICT programme. My Department will be in contact with the school in this regard in the near future.