Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
1133. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education when a retail service provider will be appointed to provide broadband to a school (details supplied); if the matter will be expedited given the various factors at play. [41231/22]
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.
As the Deputy is aware the school referred is in the National Broadband Plan (NBP) Intervention Area, implementation of which is underway. My Department is working closely with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) on this implementation to prioritise school connectivity, with all schools in the NBP to be provided with high speed broadband infrastructure by 2023. My officials have confirmed with colleagues in the DECC that this school will be connected to the National Broadband Ireland (NBI) infrastructure over the summer months. Thereafter it is anticipated that this school will be in receipt of high speed broadband through the Schools Broadband Programme for the coming school year.
In the meantime, the school may wish however to contact the Schools Broadband Service Desk (tel. 1800 334466) to ensure that they are receiving the maximum service on their current connection, and to investigate if internal networking issues may be impacting services in the school.
