Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

All the reports received by the Department indicate that a digital projector is needed in every classroom. Digital projectors are not old hat if they are not available in classrooms at present. This is required technology which is regarded as a valuable teaching resource. The Department is flexible to the extent that it will allow schools which have achieved the basic level of provision, as set out by the Department, to offset the money they spent on doing so against the grants. That is the key point.

The Department is setting minimum thresholds in terms of the technology available in classrooms for teachers to do their work. It is not open to schools to indicate they are doing something else. They must provide a baseline minimum standard in terms of access to technology. If they have done so and projectors are in place, they can use the money for other purchases, provided these are within the criteria set out by the Department.

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