Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the Deputy that availability of high-speed broadband in the schools system is transformative.

I have seen the impact not only on the pupils but also on teachers. It really transforms the learning environment. For that reason, I am very proud that last year I was able to persuade the Department of Education and Skills - even if my Department has to pay for it - that every second level school in Ireland should be connected to industrial-strength broadband. So far we have completed this work in 297 schools. I realise selecting sites is a delicate business in politics, but I selected 13 western counties that are not in my constituency. Deputy Boyd Barrett should not look at me like that.

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