Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 October 2013
75. Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the provision of broadband services at a primary school (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43483/13]
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. Satellite is only awarded where no other solution is available and contracts are put in place for one year only. S N Seosamh Naomth was re-tendered for in a mini-competition in August this year to see if a better solution was available for the school. A new contract for this school has been awarded to RippleCom. The school will be contacted by the provider in the near future.
