School Equipment

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 July 2015

Wednesday, 1 July 2015

Questions (243)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

243. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware of the shortcomings of the allocation system for design and communications graphics computers in respect of schools which are rapidly expanding; if she will re-examine the case of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 11 under the delivering equality of opportunity in schools programme, which has been allocated 14 computers but which will have 24 students in the leaving certificate design and communications graphics project, with similar numbers in 5th year and a doubling of those numbers in 3rd year, with a view to improving the school's allocation to meet the obvious need. [26502/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

My Department has recently disseminated €7m in grants to 450 post primary schools for the purchase of computers for use in Design and Communication Graphics (DCG). My Department has also made arrangements for the purchase and provision of CAD Software for Schools.

There is an appeals process in place for schools who are unhappy with their allocation under the scheme. Appeals must be received by 30th September 2015 in writing to the ICT Policy Unit of my Department. An appeal has been received from St. Kevin's and this will be considered along with other appeals after the closing date. Decisions will then be communicated to the schools concerned.