Seán Sherlock
Question:281. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education if internet speeds will be increased for a school (details supplied). [46330/23]
View answerTuesday, 24 October 2023
Questions (281)
Written answers
The 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.
A outlined, the school referred to by the Deputy is currently on 30mbs through a 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.
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 high speed broadband infrastructure recently provided under the National Broadband Plan. This provider will be in contact with the school in due course to arrange installation of the enhanced service.
My Department is engaging with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications on the implementation of the NBP to prioritise school connectivity, with the majority of schools in the NBP to be provided with high speed broadband infrastructure by the end of 2023.
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.