Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is important to highlight the fact that the Department has, since before my time there, had a strategy in place to integrate digital into the education system. There are two major elements to this, the first of which is the roll-out of ICT programmes for children. The second is the availing of ICT's potential in the teaching of all subjects. There is a strategy to develop this aspect and I am reviewing the situation, given that we are approaching mid-term, to determine whether we can introduce new targets and accelerate action.

I accept the Deputy's comments on the delay or slowness. Actually, it is not a delay, as the NCCA is working to a programme. However, it is a slow process that involves background papers examining best practice, the introduction of a draft specification, taking feedback from those at the coalface, finalising the specification and undertaking teacher training. There is a supply chain, as it were. When I sit down with the NCCA, I will determine whether there are elements of that chain that we can shorten. Each element is important and I do not want to sacrifice quality by pushing for delivery alone. I will try to determine whether the process can be accelerated, but I assure the Deputy that we will include in our 2017 programme additional digital initiatives in our education system.

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