Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2013
332. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will confirm the resources that are available to schools to ensure that they have sufficient funding available to them to acquire adequate reliable broadband speeds (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37865/13]
View answerUnder 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 satisfactory solutions would be awarded to schools.
The Department is aware of the difficulty that some schools, such as Maulatrahane 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 were re-tendered in a mini-competition in August this year to see if better solutions are available. The tender responses have been received from the suppliers and my officials are in the process of evaluating these responses. Awards will be made in the near future where it is hoped that as many schools as possible will receive improved connections.
