Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank our guests for coming in and making their presentations. At the moment there is a concerning lack of co-ordination on how digital technologies are being implemented and used to the best of a school's abilities at both primary and secondary level. People and students in their homes and businesses are outpacing what is happening in the classroom. That is a concerning situation. Students are able to use technology for self-education after they leave the school gate, yet when they are within the school confines, in many situations, it is a technology-free zone.

I have a few questions which I would like to put to our guests. The Department of Education and Skills has outlined a digital strategy that is being considered and developed at the moment. What strategy for implementing and making good use of technology in schools is the Department operating at the moment or, indeed, has been operating for the past few years? What are the current guiding principles, because one would expect there to be some? A sum of €15 million in funding was mentioned with €3.8 million going to primary and €3.7 million to professional development. What is the rest of it being spent on? What grants, if any, have been provided to schools to fund equipment in recent years?

I have a question for the Irish Primary Principals Network, IPPN, and the INTO. Mr. Pairic Clerkin from the IPPN mentioned that ICT leadership in clusters was needed. I would like him to develop what he means. What does he envisage?

What is required to prevent a social digital divide? The UK has introduced the teaching of code at primary school level. Do the IPPN and the INTO feel this is required and should be introduced to our system? What would be required to achieve such a move? Is the use of tablet computers required in schools? How many primary schools use whiteboards?

I accept the need for adequate broadband in school is outside of the remit of the Department of Education and Skills. We are told it comes under the remit of the national broadband plan. The plan will have to be up to spec to ensure schools have sufficient broadband coverage. Without that in place, the ability of schools to use ICT will be quite limited. Will the IPPN and the INTO give a more specific figure for the funding required from the Department for schools to obtain and maintain digital hardware? What other supports are needed for schools to enable them to maintain their digital hardware, as this is becoming an increasing problem?