Broadband Service Provision

Wednesday, 29 May 2013

Questions (91)

Dominic Hannigan

Question:

91. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a school (details supplied) in County Meath may expect to receive faster broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25964/13]

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Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Under the Schools Broadband Access Programme the Department provides for the supply of internet connectivity for all recognised primary schools. All contracts under the Schools Broadband Access Programme were re-tendered last year under a public procurement competition. As a result of this the number of service providers has been expanded from 6 to 13 with the aim of ensuring that where available satisfactory solutions would be awarded to schools. The Department is aware of the difficulty that some schools, such as Culmullen National School have with their broadband service. Through the public procurement process the Department has sought as far as possible to reduce the reliance on satellite services and the number of schools awarded a satellite connection has fallen from approximately 1,800 in 2005 to approximately 200 at present. Satellite connections and some other slower connections were only awarded where no other solution was proposed and contracts for these connections were only awarded for one year. These schools will be re-tendered in a mini-competition this August to see if better solutions are available to be awarded. In addition to this the Department continually liaises with service providers to try and ensure that where possible improved connections will be made available.