Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this important issue, which is critical to the success of secondary schools across the south east and south west. The high broadband speed for schools project aimed to provide all second level schools with 100 Mbps of high-speed broadband by 2014. The pilot scheme and phase 1 have been completed while phase 2 has just been announced. Phase 1 delivered high-speed broadband to schools in all counties from Clare right up to Louth, including the midlands.

While I welcome the news that a further 216 schools will be covered in phase 2, people are asking why schools in Meath, Kildare and Dublin have been chosen in rolling out high-speed broadband. There are several potential problems with this. First, the areas with the worst broadband services available should have been prioritised first. This would have meant that schools in Tipperary such as Coláiste Dún Iascaigh, Cahir, or Scoil Ruáin, Killenaule - schools that are in more rural areas and simply do not have the same commercial coverage available - are further missing out on the benefits of having a business-class broadband service. There is also the possibility that until all remaining 250 schools have been connected with high-speed broadband, the final phase might not go ahead due to the current economic climate. It is essential that this investment be delivered as soon as possible to the remaining 250 schools to ensure they can deliver to their students a more in-depth educational experience, which is brought about through the advantages that high-speed broadband brings. Only recently it was announced that 1.6 million people use smartphones. A significant number of these people are in our secondary schools and have become used to communicating through the newest of technologies. We need to ensure all our schools can harness the changing face of technology to provide a better education to secondary school students who need to be better prepared for the digital economy. To do this, a fast, reliable and secure broadband service is essential.

The advantages of such a service are multiple. It will mean that teachers can develop the use of ICT, information and communications technology, in their teaching methods and practices. It will also mean that communication tools such as Skype and other video-conferencing tools can be used, which will also allow for greater co-operation between schools, universities and other experts in curriculum areas. It will mean that classes can watch important Dáil debates live on their computers.

While I welcome the existing investment during the current economic difficulties, it is vital that modern high-speed networks are available to all students in all areas. It is also vital that assurances be given to all remaining schools that students in these areas will not be left behind. Will the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources confirm the position for the remaining 250 schools?

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