Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)

The Minister has now honestly told the Dáil that there is no absolute, firm and gilt-edged guarantee that this money will be provided for schools. Is he aware that Ireland is ranked 20th of 30 OECD countries in respect of expenditure in this area? Does he know that Ireland is ranked 19th of the 27 EU member states in respect of the roll-out of broadband? We have one computer for every ten children in this country. Our information and communications technology funding record is abysmal. The Minister, unlike his predecessor, has been honest with the Dáil. He has admitted that there is no commitment to provide a €252 million spending package. This news will come as a bombshell to schools. Can the Minister tell the Dáil whether he has read the report of the expert group? I understand that the group has said that an allocation of €252 million would be insufficient to meet the technological development needs of this country's schools. Can the Minister confirm whether the expert group has told him that?

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