Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 December 2016
146. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will make funding available to allow for the installation of broadband, the provision of computers and the associated computer room set up costs for a school (details supplied) in Dublin 10; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38467/16]
View answerThe overall policy of my Department is to offer the best quality connectivity to all schools in line with technical solutions available in the market and financial constraints. All post primary schools receive at least 100mbts connectivity. The need to improve broadband connectivity to primary schools is recognised in the new Digital Strategy for schools and the Department will collaborate with DCENR to provide enhanced broadband to all primary schools.
In the case of the school referred to by the Deputy, this school is currently receiving at least 100mbs connectivity from Digiweb, one of the providers on the Post Primary Broadband providers framework.
The new Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020 (Enhancing Teaching, Learning & Assessment), launched in October 2015, sets out a clear vision for the role of ICT in teaching, learning and assessment in primary and post primary schools. The Strategy is focused on realising the potential of digital technologies to transform the learning experiences of students by helping them become engaged thinkers, active learners, knowledge constructors and global citizens who participate fully in society and the economy.
The Strategy recognises that schools require public investment in their ICT equipment and infrastructure and accordingly a fund of €210m to support the implementation of this Strategy has been committed beginning with an investment of €30m in the current school year (2016/2017) rising to €50m annually towards the end of the Strategy. Oversight and consultative structures for the implementation of the strategy have been finalised and the status of implementation will be communicated to schools and stakeholders on a regular basis. For further information please refer to the Digital Strategy page on the Department website at: http://www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Information/Information-Communications-Technology-ICT-in-Schools/Digital-Strategy-for-Schools/Digital%20Strategy%20Information.html./
