Vol. 571 No. 3
37 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the recent report from the National Council for Technology in Education showing that Ireland is below the EU average in terms of access to computers; the steps being taken to ensure better access in schools to computers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21539/03]
A recent nationwide survey of primary and second level schools undertaken by the National Centre for Technology in Education, NCTE, confirms that there has been a substantial improvement in access to computers since the ICT in schools programme was initiated in 1998. To date funding in excess of €120 million has been provided by the Government for the programme and the survey indicates that average pupil to computer ratios have reduced in the period from 35:1 to just over 11:1 in primary schools, from 16:1 to 9:1 in secondary schools and from 9:1 to less than 4:1 in special schools. These ratios compare well with many other European countries, although they are slightly below the EU average.
The Government remains fully committed to promoting ICT as a teaching and learning tool across the curriculum and to providing schools with the necessary support for achieving this. My Department and the NCTE are currently examining the findings of the NCTE survey with a view to determining future policy and funding priorities within available resources. A detailed report of the survey is currently being finalised and will be published shortly.
