Vol. 508 No. 1
947 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has to set an independent evaluation of the overall Schools IT 2000 initiative as recommended by the Information Society Commission report, Building a Capacity for Change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18282/99]
In my reply on Tuesday 18 May 1999 to a question from Deputy Noonan I clearly outlined the details of the ongoing review and evaluation which my Department proposed for Schools IT 2000. The national policy advisory and development committee – NPADC – which I established for Schools IT 2000, is currently finalising a proposal for an independent evaluation of the Schools IT 2000 initiative. The NPADC membership includes representation from the partners in education and from the social partners. This independent evaluation will be undertaken at an early date and I am confident that it will highlight the excellent progress of Schools IT 2000 to date and that it will also help to inform future policy requirements as regards the development of an ICT infrastructure for education.
