Vol. 470 No. 5
91 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Education the number and percentage of primary schools which currently have computers; and whether any grants are available from her Department to schools for the purchase of computer equipment. [19474/96]
My Department does not have precise data on the extent to which primary schools have computers. It is estimated that at least 50 per cent of the 3,335 schools have computers.
There are no specific grants available for the purchase of computer equipment in primary schools. In 1995 grants were given towards the purchase of computers to a small number of schools in disadvantaged areas.
The Department can, subject to available resources, provide grants towards the purchase of specialised computer equipment for individual children with special needs for whom such equipment is considered necessary.
