Vol. 547 No. 2
60 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will report on the implementation of the IT 2000 programme; if every school now has an Internet connection; if schools must now pay all rental and call charges once the period of the introductory offer has expired; the funding provision which he has made for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2783/02]
The National Policy Advisory and Development Committee was established in 1998 to advise the Minister for Education and Science on ICT policy at first and second level. My Department recently published the report of the NPADC in which they evaluate the impact of Schools IT 2000. Comparing the situation to that which existed beforehand, the results are highly encouraging and chart demonstrable and impressive progress in the introduction of ICT into schools. Marked increases have been demonstrated in the areas of increased availability of necessary infrastructure, the use of ICT by the teaching profession across all school functions, its use by pupils and in teacher participation in ICT training. Copies of this report are available and I will ensure that one is sent to the Deputy.
A survey carried out by the National Centre for Technology in Education also showed that following Schools IT 2000 the average primary school now has 8.7 computers, up from 3.8 in early 1998; the average second level school now has 42.7 computers, up from 31 in early 1998; at least 34,000 teachers have attended one or more IT training courses since early 1998 and more than 95% of schools state that they are using the Internet, up from only 25% in early 1998.
The Deputy will be aware that I recently launched a new €108 million three year strategic action plan, "Blueprint for the Future of ICT in Irish Education 2001-2003", under phase 1 of which €25 million in grants have already issued to schools. Grants under phase 2 will issue in the near future and I am confident, therefore, that when schools are next surveyed there will be further substantial progress to be reported in all these areas.
In relation to the last point I am pleased to say that every school in the State now has an Internet connection and that Internet usage will continue to be subsidised under the existing arrangements for the current academic year.
