Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 October 2012
185. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline details of his new initiative for effective broadband service for all schools; if he will provide an update on the situation regarding a school (details supplied) in County Cork; the efforts to improve the current ineffective satellite broadband service which they receive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41893/12]
View answerUnder the Schools Broadband Access Programme the Department provides for the supply of internet connectivity for all primary schools that wish to avail of this service. All contracts under the Schools Broadband Access Programme were recently re-tendered. As a result of this the number of service providers has been expanded from 6 to 13 and this should lead to improvements in the quality of services available to schools. These contracts were signed in July and August 2012 and the migration of schools onto the new services is currently underway. In most instances contracts were awarded for a two year period with a provision to extend to three years. Where the only solution bid for a school was below optimum levels, such as a satellite connection or a slow DSL connection these contracts were awarded for a one year period to allow the Department to return to the purchasing framework next year to see if an improved service can be procured for these schools. This is the case in relation to Dromleigh National School where the only viable bid was for a satellite service.
