Vol. 518 No. 2
156 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Education and Science if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 167 of 6 April 2000, he has responded to correspondence from the school concerned (details supplied); the reason this school was cut from the teacher training component of the schools IT-2000 programme before the review by his Department was completed; the criteria on which schools were excluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11289/00]
The school concerned has been contacted by my Department to determine the exact position with regard to the ICT training course referred to by the Deputy.
The staff of the school completed an ICT phase one training course in 1999 and had arranged to do a phase two course during the current year. This course was being organised through the University of Limerick which is a course provider recognised by the National Centre for Technology in Education, NCTE, for the delivery of courses to post-primary teachers.
Under the schools IT 2000 initiative a budget of £1.4 million was allocated for the teacher skills initiative during the current year. Recognised providers of courses were asked by the NCTE to submit a budget for training courses to be delivered in their particular areas and at relevant levels. A budget was allocated to each provider earlier this year but it was not possible to fully meet the entire demand for courses.
Each provider then made the decision as to which courses could be funded. This decision was based on the following criteria: to ensure that, in so far as it was possible, the demand for ICT phase one courses was met, and to ensure that the needs of all schools were being met within the context of the available budget.
As I stated in my reply to Question No. 167 of 6 April 2000 the needs of this school will be considered in the context of future provision for ICT training.
