Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 30 Nov 1999

Vol. 511 No. 6

Written Answers. - Schools Equipment.

Michael D. Higgins

Ceist:

416 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will assume full responsibility for all payments for upgrades, telephones, support training, hardware, software and any other expenditure necessary in connection with the central management information system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25403/99]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

I assume the Deputy is referring to the facility CMIS pupil administration software package used by post-primary schools for general administration purposes and to generate certain statistical returns required by my Department.

Funding is provided by my Department under the school administration project to assist post-primary schools in acquiring information technology equipment and software for admin istration purposes. At least £500,000 has been provided under this project every year since 1992. In the school year 1998-99, 700 post-primary schools were provided with grants of up to £1,600 each to assist with the purchase of this new package and, where appropriate, the purchase of the necessary hardware to run it. In addition, most post-primary schools received a grant of £325 each towards associated running costs such as support charges and training.

Last week I announced a new programme of expenditure over the next three years to support the use of information and communication technologies in schools. I also announced details of the final round of allocations under the existing Schools IT 2000 programme, including approximately £1 million for computerised administration in second-level schools. This funding is due to issue to schools shortly and includes an equipment grant to issue to all second-level schools of £2 per student enrolled subject to a minimum grant of £500 per school, and a grant of £350 for every second level school towards support and other running costs related to computerised school administration.

I am confident that this expenditure makes a very significant contribution towards the cost to schools of computerised school administration. Costs associated with the purchase of computer equipment for administration may, at the discretion of schools, also be funded from their per capita or other general grants for running costs.