Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 February 2018
204. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason his Department refuses to fund the cost of alternative broadband suppliers to primary schools in areas in which the preferred supplier cannot provide proper broadband or the coverage is better from an alternative supplier; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7053/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the current primary broadband programme, my Department continually reviews the availability of services and upgrades schools where the opportunity arises, in line with contractual and budgetary requirements. As the Deputy will be aware the schools broadband programme operates subject to procurement regulations through a publicly procured Framework of Providers of Broadband Services. This Framework of Providers of Broadband for Primary schools was renewed in 2017, and it was open to all providers to apply to become members of that Framework.
At post-primary level, all schools are connected to the Department's 100Mbp/s programme, operated and managed by HEAnet.
The policy of this Department is to offer the best quality connectivity to all schools in line with the technical solutions available in the market and financial constraints. Broadband capacity can vary due to geographical location and local infrastructure, and thus impact on the service that can be provided. The primary broadband scheme is based on existing infrastructure, and the providers on the Primary Broadband Framework access this infrastructure to deliver the service to the schools.
The need to improve broadband connectivity to primary schools is recognised in the Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020. An interdepartmental working group has been established to determine how best to provide enhanced broadband connectivity to primary schools in collaboration with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment to the National Broadband Plan and the Intervention Strategy, and proposed industry provision.
