Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2015
433. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the provision of broadband in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6701/15]
View answerUnder the Schools Broadband Access programme the Department provides for the supply of internet connectivity for all recognised primary schools. A new framework was put in place in 2012 for the provision of this service, 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 all schools.
Where schools were awarded slow DSL solutions or satellite solutions, the contracts were for one year only and my Department continues to seek a higher speed solution by offering these schools for re-tender.
A mini tender competition took place at the end of 2014 and this school was included in the competition, however no improved service was offered by suppliers for this school. My Department will continue to monitor the situation and will include this school in the next mini competition which we expect to take place in April/May this year.
