James Lawless
Question:617. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Education if she will examine the broadband connectivity issues at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17251/21]
View answerWednesday, 31 March 2021
Questions (617)
Written answers
The policy of my Department is to offer the best quality connectivity to all schools in line with the technical solutions available in the market and within financial constraints, through the Schools Broadband Programme. Currently investment of some €13m is allocated annually for the provision of internet connectivity to schools. As you will be aware, 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 primary broadband scheme operates off existing infrastructure on the whole and the providers on the Primary Broadband Framework access this infrastructure to deliver the service to the schools. All post-primary schools are provided with high speed connectivity through the Department's High Speed Programme for Post-Primary Schools.
My Department is working closely with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications on the implementation of the National Broadband Plan Intervention area, which will see almost 700 primary schools provided with high speed connectivity by the end of 2022. This includes the School Connection Points under the Broadband Connection Points programme implementation currently underway.
In operating the Schools Broadband Programme, my Department adheres to procurement regulations, and must engage with the selected retail service providers on the DE Framework of Providers of Broadband Services through a tender process to award services. As and when improvements in infrastructure providing high speed connectivity is put in place, either through industry provision or the NBP implementation, the retail service providers on the Primary Schools Broadband Framework will be in a position to utilise this in providing connectivity through my Department's Broadband Programme.
The school referred to by the Deputy is on contracted service of 40 Mbp/s download through the Schools Broadband Programme, and will be upgraded through the Schools Broadband Programme when infrastructure becomes available to do so, in line with procurement and financial obligations. The school are advised to contact the Schools Broadband Service Desk on 1800 334466. to ensure that the school is receiving the maximum service on their current connection, and to investigate if internal networking issues may be impacting services in the school.