Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

Some 3,901 out of 3,936 schools have their local broadband connectivity installed, which is over 99% of them. Installation has typically been at speeds of up to 2 megabytes per second. My belief is that it is appropriate for us to go to speeds of 100 megabytes per second and eventually to have wireless connectivity within the school, so broadband is available in each classroom and not necessarily in a computer room or in certain locations within the school. That is why I included that strategic aim in the next generation broadband paper. It was published in July and it is fair and proper to have a consultation process, something which is coming to an end. When the process ends, we will publish a final version of the paper and we will go out and deliver.

The experience of putting broadband into those 3,900 schools is something on which we can build for future development. I referred to the discussions with HEAnet because this body also has a crucial part to play in achieving the roll-out. We already have a successful backhall network in the educational broadband sector, especially in our third level colleges. HEAnet has real expertise in delivering broadband to educational establishments and in putting in filtering systems. That is why I have confidence in the ability of HEAnet and of my Department to deliver the objective that has been set. However, prior to completing the consultation process, it is appropriate to get the details of the process worked out and then publish the timetable, budget and other details.

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