Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 October 2023
110. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Education the reason a primary school (details supplied) is still awaiting broadband connection; the timeline for when the matter will be completed; if the matter can be escalated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44398/23]
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.
The school referred to by the Deputy is currently on 30mbs dedicated wireless broadband connection. In the first instance, should the school be experiencing issues with this connection contact should be made by the school with the schools broadband service desk on 1800334466 to log a fault on the loss or degradation of the broadband service to the school, which will be investigated immediately by the service desk team.
Additionally, as you may be aware, the school in question is in the National Broadband Plan Intervention Area, for which implementation is underway. My Department is engaging with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications on this implementation to prioritise school connectivity, with all schools in the NBP to be provided with high speed broadband infrastructure by the end of 2023. In line with procurement requirements, the school referred to has been awarded through a tender process under the Schools Broadband Programme to a retail service provider of high speed broadband to connect the school to the NBP infrastructure. This provider will be in contact with the school in due course to organise the installation of the new service under the NBP.
The 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 Department is obliged to adhere to procurement regulations and must engage with the selected providers on the DOE framework of providers of broadband services through a tender process to award services. This is the basis on which all state-funding is utilised to ensure transparency and equal treatment for all schools and providers, and adherence to regulatory requirements.
