Vol. 481 No. 6
139 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the availability of up-to-date computers and software in schools providing adult education in order that computer training courses provided in these schools can be relevant. [16587/97]
My Department does not have precise data on the extent or age of computer equipment, including software, available to schools providing computer training courses to adults. I will shortly be publishing a comprehensive policy framework document on information and communication technologies, ICTs, in education reflecting the Government's commitment in the Action Programme for a New Millennium to achieving computer literacy throughout the school system. This document will set forth the details of a national programme of action to be implemented between now and the end of the year 2001. At the time of publication of the document, I will simultaneously be announcing a very substantial Government investment to underpin the implementation of the programme. A key element of the programme will be the provision of assistance to schools in further building up their computer equipment infrastructure. Schools will be able to use the equipment concerned for adult education purposes, as appropriate.
I will also shortly be establishing the National Centre for Technology in Education, NCTE, in Dublin City University which will carry forward the implementation of the national programme in all 4,000 schools in the State and provide policy advice to my Department. In implementing the national programme, the NCTE will develop a database which will include information on ICT capacity and utilisation in all first and second-level schools.
