Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 4 Dec 1997

Vol. 484 No. 2

Written Answers. - Computerisation Programme.

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

Ireland currently lags behind its European partners in the integration of information and communications technologies (ICTs) into first and second level schools. It is a major challenge to meet the need to integrate technology into teaching and learning right across the curriculum. It is vital, in the interests of our future national welfare, that we succeed.

At the launch of the education technology investment fund, I announced a capital investment of £25 million to fund the provision of computer systems to first and second level schools over the next three years. Telecom Éireann has also announced a £10 million initiative which includes the provision of computer systems. More recently at the launch of Schools IT 2000 — A Policy Framework for the New Millennium, I announced a target of having at least 60,000 multimedia computer systems in first and second level schools by the year 2000. I also stressed the need to build on existing partnerships between public and private sector organisations at both national and local level to enhance this provision.

It is not sufficient to invest in equipment and hardware if we are to effectively integrate ICTs into first and second level curricula. I am determined that the Schools IT 2000 programme will be an integrated one, with the installation of equipment in schools being closely linked to actions on curriculum development, teacher training and the provision of support services. It is, therefore, inappropriate to focus solely on targets for the installation of ICT equipment in addressing the need to develop the integration of ICTs in the classroom.

At the launch of Schools IT 2000 — A Policy Framework for the New Millennium, the Taoiseach stated that the Government investment in the Schools IT 2000 initiative is one of the largest of its kind in the EU, relative to the size of our country. I am confident that, with this in mind, Schools IT 2000 will propel the Irish education system into a leadership position in the use of technology in education and will make substantial progress towards the achievement of Council of Europe targets.