Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 November 2021
440. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the major internet issues occurring on a daily basis in a school (details supplied) and that the National Centre for Technology in Education has to date been unable to resolve same; if she will request that this school is included in the National Broadband Plan roll-out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54503/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThrough the Schools Broadband Programme, the policy of my Department is to offer the best quality connectivity to all schools in line with the technical solutions available in the market and within financial constraints. Currently investment of some €13m is allocated annually for the provision of internet connectivity to schools. Broadband capacity can vary across geographical locations and is dependent on local infrastructure which can impact on the service that can be provided in individual schools.
The school referred to by the Deputy was included in a recent tender for high speed broadband connectivity, through a project underway in the Schools Broadband Programme to provide for schools outside of the National Broadband Plan Intervention Area, and where commercial provision is neither available nor planned. That project is supported by funding under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) and is managed by HEAnet on behalf of my Department. The school was awarded to a provider of high-speed broadband but their pre installation surveys have this week returned line of site issues. On that basis, the school will be included in the next tender for services shortly, to determine if improved services can be provided. I have also asked my officials to work with the Department of Environment Climate and Communications with a view to considering if the school should be included in the National Broadband Intervention area.
The Schools Broadband Programme, operated by the Professional Development Service for Teachers Technology in Education on my Department's behalf, will be in contact with the school in due course as matters progress.
The National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) has been developed by the Government so that Ireland can access funding under the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility. Ireland is expected to receive €988 million in grants under the Facility.
The Recovery and Resilience Facility is the largest component of NextGenerationEU, the European Union’s response to the global pandemic. The aim is to help repair the immediate economic and social damage brought about by the pandemic and to prepare for a post-Covid Europe that is greener, more digital, more resilient and fit to face the future.
