Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 March 2004
152 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of schools across the country that will benefit from Government plans to provide broadband Internet access; the timeframe for the introduction of broadband to all schools; if the provision of broadband will be backed-up by the provision of necessary hardware; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9781/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraMaking broadband Internet access available to all schools is a central objective of my Department in the promotion of ICT in first and second level education. Broadband will significantly enhance the potential of ICT in teaching and learning in schools by facilitating whole class access to a wide range of multimedia applications through the Internet, much faster downloading of educational content and online communication and collaboration between schools.
Last year my Department commissioned a consultancy study on the options for providing broadband to schools around the country, taking into account the market ability to provide such connectivity, the range of deliverable technologies available, timescale for delivery, cost and scalability. Since the completion of the report in the autumn of 2003, my Department has been engaged in detailed discussions with the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources on a broadband implementation plan for schools.
Following on from these discussions I recently announced with my colleague the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources details of an agreement which will see the telecommunications sector and the Government commit €18 million towards the roll-out of broadband connectivity to all first and second level schools by the end of 2005. The telecommunications sector has pledged contributions on a voluntary basis of some €15 million of this outlay. The Government will contribute €3 million towards school connectivity costs and will in addition fund the provision of a dedicated centrally managed schools broadband network and associated help desk facility for schools.
The schools' network will link the broadband connectivity provided to all schools to a central point allowing for the provision of content filtering, virus scanning, firewall and intrusion detection services and technical support on a centrally managed basis. In addition, the network will facilitate schools in communicating with each other directly and with education networks in Europe, the US and the rest of the world. Ultimately the network will also act as a platform for the hosting and delivery of curriculum related digital content and applications.
Future funding for computer hardware in primary and post primary schools will be considered in the context of available resources and plans for a new schools' ICT strategy which are currently at an advanced stage of preparation in my Department.
