Pat Buckley
Question:516. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Education when a school (details supplied) will receive appropriate broadband services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12985/21]
View answerWednesday, 10 March 2021
Questions (516)
Written answers
Under the School Broadband Programme the Department continually reviews the availability of services and upgrades schools where the opportunity arises, in line with contractual and budgetary requirements. Currently investment of some €13m is allocated annually for the provision of internet connectivity to schools. Broadband capacity can vary across geographical locations and is dependent on local infrastructure which can impact on the service that can be provided in individual schools.
The school referred to by the Deputy is currently on the best available service of 25mb fibre broadband connection, which is a dedicated service to the school. The school was included in a recent tender in line with contractual requirements, to renew the broadband service to the school, with final tender responses due shortly. Following the evaluation process of this tender, the school will be contacted in due course to arrange the new service, and it is hoped this may deliver higher speed connectivity.
The National Broadband Plan Intervention Area Plan implementation is now underway, and as announced recently, the provision of high speed connectivity to the almost 700 primary schools in that area is to be accelerated for delivery by the end of 2022. My Department is engaging with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications on the intervention area implementation, including the Schools Broadband Connection Points Programme.