Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 79: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when schools will be able to draw down the €252 million investment promised for information and communications technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20085/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Since the introduction of the programme of investment in information and communications technology in 1998, almost €200 million has been invested in information and communications technology in schools. Some €80 million was provided to schools in equipment grants under the Schools ICT 2000 and Blueprint for the Future of ICT schemes. A further €23 million has been provided since 2004 to develop the networking capacity of schools and facilitate the full exploitation by schools of the potential offered by broadband connectivity and the efficient use by schools of computer software. The current national development plan provides for investment of €252 million in information and communications technology in schools between 2007 and 2013.

The Deputy will be aware that my predecessor appointed a strategy group to advise on the priorities for expenditure on information and communications technology in schools. I intend to publish the group's report shortly. The report will cover areas of required investment over the lifetime of the national development plan. At its core will be the embedding of information and communications technology in the teaching and learning culture of schools. This will require continuing investment in teacher professional development to build further on the impressive teacher participation levels which have been evident to date. It will require the continuing maintenance of a national broadband network for schools, the upgrading and renewal of hardware and the provision of software and digital content. It will be important to focus on the provision of technical support to schools and the development of appropriate models in a cost effective manner.

Decisions on the timing and amount of expenditure in this area this year must be made in the overall context of the current budgetary situation. I am required to work within the budget set for the Department of Education and Science. My officials and I are reviewing the overall financial position with regard to spending trends and emerging pressures. Following this review, I anticipate that I will be in a position to make decisions on specific areas of expenditure.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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I congratulate Deputy Batt O'Keeffe on his appointment as Minister for Education and Science. I look forward to working with him over the course of the next while. I wish him well in his new position.

In his response to Question No. 79, which relates to the development of information and communications technology in our schools, the Minister seemed to suggest that the €252 million that is allegedly earmarked for this sector over the course of the national development plan may be at risk. Can the Minister unequivocally tell the House whether the €252 million which was dedicated for the development of information and communications technology in schools over the course of the national development plan is absolutely guaranteed?

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I thought I had made it plain that I am discussing the exact financial position with my officials. It has not been easy to examine all the funding issues in the Department of Education and Science. I am not in a position today to say "Yes, something will happen". I have provided for expenditure in the schools sector of approximately €20 million, on the current side. I will continue to fund the National Centre for Technology in Education, which provides more than 10,000 continuing professional development training places to teachers each year. I am in discussions with my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Ryan, on the issue of broadband services in schools.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Do I understand correctly from the Minister that the answer to my question is that the €252 million funding package is not guaranteed over the course of the next five to six years? If so, this news will come as a bombshell to schools throughout the country. The Minister's predecessor made 17 separate announcements pertaining to the €252 million allocation.

Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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That is right.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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The Minister has now honestly told the Dáil that there is no absolute, firm and gilt-edged guarantee that this money will be provided for schools. Is he aware that Ireland is ranked 20th of 30 OECD countries in respect of expenditure in this area? Does he know that Ireland is ranked 19th of the 27 EU member states in respect of the roll-out of broadband? We have one computer for every ten children in this country. Our information and communications technology funding record is abysmal. The Minister, unlike his predecessor, has been honest with the Dáil. He has admitted that there is no commitment to provide a €252 million spending package. This news will come as a bombshell to schools. Can the Minister tell the Dáil whether he has read the report of the expert group? I understand that the group has said that an allocation of €252 million would be insufficient to meet the technological development needs of this country's schools. Can the Minister confirm whether the expert group has told him that?

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I do not want the Deputy to misinterpret what I am saying. I am in discussions with my officials about the overall package of funding within the Department. I am not saying that I do not intend to put funding in place for information and communications technology. It is in the national development plan. It is obvious that it is my aspiration——

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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It is no more than an aspiration.

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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——to meet the demands of that part of the national development plan.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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It is not true.

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I certainly do not intend to give Deputy Hayes an absolute commitment, in the Dáil, that I have the funding to roll out the whole of this.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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The national development plan is a joke.

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy has had his say. I ask him to let me finish. I have been in this job for almost two weeks. I am in discussions with my officials on the funding that is available. I have pointed out that €20 million has been put in place for current spending. I am looking at the capital programme. Under no circumstances can Deputy Hayes indicate to anybody at this stage that funding will not be in place for an information and communications technology capital programme this year.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Go raibh maith agat.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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I would like to make a final point.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I am afraid we have to move on. We have gone well over time on this question.