Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

Last week when the Minister launched his next-generation broadband consultation document, 12 months into office, he announced that the Government planned to invest, in capital terms, €435 million to address the digital divide. Is it the case that the Government has already spent approximately €135 million of that €435 million? I ask the Minister to clarify what is still available to spend. He said quite clearly that the Government will target capital investment of €435 million. What has been spent and what is left?

With regard to the information and communications technology in schools project, the Minister for Education and Science said that a report is to be published today on the issue. Has the Minister seen that report? Will he tell us the amount of money the Government is committing to bringing broadband and ICT capacity to schools? We all know the merits of it so he no longer needs to tell us about them. We want to see it happen and a timescale for when it will happen.

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