Billy Timmins
Question:38 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of schools that have broadband Internet access; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30487/04]
View answerThursday, 25 November 2004
Questions (39)
Written answers
Up to date figures on the number of schools with broadband Internet access are not currently available. A nationwide census of schools conducted by the National Centre for Technology in Education, NCTE, in early 2003 indicated that 7% of post-primary schools and 1% of primary schools had broadband at that time. While these percentages have risen in the past year with the development of the market, most schools do not yet have a broadband connection.
Nevertheless, plans are well advanced by my Department for the delivery of a high speed broadband service to all schools nationwide. An initiative agreed earlier this year between the Government and the telecoms industry will see all schools connected to a national broadband network by the end of 2005. A competitive public tendering process is currently under way and I expect that my Department will be in a position to conclude contracts with service providers in the near future.
A joint industry-Government fund of €18 million has been established for the provision of broadband services to schools over a three year period, with the telecoms industry committing €5 million per annum and the Government committing €1 million per annum. Additional Exchequer funding is being provided by my Department for related equipment and services to support this initiative. In the past few days, I announced a new €18 million funding package for schools which will enable them to upgrade and augment their computer network facilities in advance of broadband roll out next year. I should emphasise this €18 million funding for computer networks is additional to the €18 million being provided for broadband through the industry-Government fund.
Question No. 39 answered with QuestionNo. 14.