Thomas Byrne
Ceist:187. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary and post-primary schools that lack broadband services, by county. [31044/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 4 July 2017
Ceisteanna (187)
Freagraí scríofa
Through the Schools Broadband Access Programme, the Department provides for the supply of internet connectivity for all recognised primary, post-primary and special schools. All post-primary schools are provided with 100Mbp/s connectivity.
At primary level, some 98% of schools are included in the Schools Broadband Programme, with some 1,100 schools on download speeds of 30Mbps plus (the target set out in the National Broadband Plan) by the end of 2017. Under the current programme, the Department continually reviews the availability of services and upgrades schools where the opportunity arises, within the parameters of the programme and in compliance with procurement and contractual obligations.
The Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020 Enhancing Teaching Learning and Assessment, sets out the Department's vision for embedding ICT in teaching learning and assessment in primary and post-primary schools. A key priority of the Strategy will be to address any broadband connectivity issues experienced by primary schools. An interdepartmental working group is considering this matter at present. In this regard, my Department will also collaborate with the Department of Communications Climate Action and Environment on this issue, having regard to the National Digital Strategy.