Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 March 2022
454. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education the steps she is taking to replace the current HEA net broadband connection to a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; when the school will be able to avail of fibre broadband; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10894/22]
View answerThe delivery of high quality internet connectivity for all schools is a key objective of my Department. It is accepted that good connectivity is essential to ensure that schools are facilitated to progress the embedding of digital technologies in teaching and learning and for the implementation of new and revised curriculum.
My Department operates the Schools Broadband Programme at an annual cost of some €13m, providing connectivity to schools through a range of technologies at the best level of connectivity available based on local infrastructure. The school referred to by the Deputy is currently on the best available service of 17mb wireless broadband connection, which is a dedicated service to the school.
I have requested the Schools Broadband Service Desk work with the service provider to ensure that the current level of service is maintained as contracted to the school.
The school referred to by the Deputy is in the National Broadband Plan Intervention Area, with implementation underway. My Department is engaging with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications on this implementation to prioritise school connectivity, with some 679 primary and special schools in the NBP to be provided with high speed broadband infrastructure by 2023. When the necessary infrastructure becomes available, the school will be upgraded to that service through the Schools Broadband Programme.
