Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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The Smart Schools = Smart Economy report was published in a blaze of glory on 16 November 2009. Nobody can disagree with the need for this initiative, given the ICT system in our schools is of Third World standard and is nowhere near what is needed to support a knowledge-based economy. The strategy launched in November has been a long time coming but the fact that the Minister is finally paying attention to the ICT deficit in our schools is welcome.

A number of matters have been brought to my attention regarding the contractual arrangements surrounding this plan and I would like the Minister to clarify a number of issues. Given the current economic position, funding for all sectors within the education sector must be spent wisely. Many schools are frustrated because they say they were not consulted on what they needed in terms of ICT before the framework was drawn up by the Department. I would like the Minister to clarify whether any of the schools benefiting from this money were consulted before he announced the ICT grant for a teaching lap top and digital projector. The most recent comprehensive information I have available regarding ICT provision in our schools goes back to 2005. Has a review of ICT in schools been carried out since then or was the Minister using the provision of a digital projector and laptop as an initiative he chose to announce last November?

Value for money is another important issue. Added to the frustration schools are experiencing about a lack of consultation is the apparent lack of flexibility that they have in spending the ICT grant they have drawn down. Many schools have reported that they do not need a digital projector or teaching laptop and would gladly use the money for other areas of ICT provision. Can the Minister assure schools that they have the flexibility to buy the ICT equipment they need assuming the money is spent in a full year and it meets their individual needs?

I would also like clarity on the resources being allocated to the National Centre for Technology in Education, NCTE, to oversee the implementation of this project. A sum of €150 million is significant and it must be spent wisely. Will the Minister outline whether the NCTE is properly resourced to do so? How many people are working on the implementation of the framework?

Another issue of concern that has come to my attention is the fact that small Irish ICT companies, some of whom had arrangements with schools going back years, have now effectively been cut out of the market due to the introduction of this strategy. The companies involved in supplying schools with the infrastructure promised in the strategy were involved in compiling the report and they are represented on the advisory group established by the Minister. Can the Minister of State outline whether a contractual agreement to supply schools with infrastructure was drawn up with specific companies prior to the introduction of this strategy? Furthermore, is he concerned that small Irish ICT companies may not be able to pitch for business on a level playing field under the terms of this strategy and are in danger of going out of business?

The Minister said in his statement of 16 November 2009 that this €150 million investment would go towards ensuring that, within three years, each classroom in Ireland would have a teaching laptop and digital projector. I would like the Minister to clarify a number of issues. First, how will the remaining money be spent? Will secondary schools be able to obtain funds? Second, how much does it cost to equip each classroom? It is estimated to be €1,600 on average. Will this meet the needs of every classroom? Third, how much has been drawn down to date?

The most worrying aspect of this strategy is that the Minister is spending money that should have been spent over the past number of years. He has not checked what schools need. He has not conducted a vigorous value for money audit in respect of this investment and there is no accountability for this expenditure on a school by school basis. Serious issues have been raised by this strategy and the Minister needs to clarify this matters in his reply.

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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I am taking this matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Science. I thank the Deputy for raising this matter, as it provides me with an opportunity to outline to this House the way in which the ICT infrastructure grant for primary schools, which was issued last November, may be utilised. In November last year the Taoiseach launched the Smart Schools = Smart Economy report, which is the new action plan for integrating ICT in schools. The report, which was produced by the joint advisory group established by the Minister earlier last year, builds on the earlier strategy group report, Investing Effectively in ICT in Schools. As a first step in implementing the recommendations of the report, €22 million in ICT grants was issued to primary schools in November last. In order to ensure value for money and to make the procurement process easier, schools were instructed to use the national framework agreements for the supply of ICT equipment, where such agreements are in place. Four distinct agreements for the supply of specific categories of ICT equipment to schools have been set up by the Department of Finance. The categories in question are PCs, laptops, mono laser printers and colour laser printers. In addition, the National Centre for Technology in Education has set up a framework for the purchase of digital projectors. Frameworks can facilitate greater flexibility in the acquisition of goods and services and support more responsive pricing mechanisms that deliver better value for money. The major features of the frameworks are the lowest price guarantee, the simple and cost-effective procurement process for customers, the public service terms and conditions and the centralised contract management and monitoring of vendor performance. In all cases, the suppliers were selected following an open competitive tendering exercise in compliance with EU and national procurement rules. The process was open to all companies.

In the interests of achieving best value for money, schools were asked by letter to use the framework agreements for the purchase of ICT equipment under the relevant categories. Schools can run a mini competitive tendering process by sending a simple request for quotation, setting out their requirements, to a single central e-mail address. In addition to the core products, schools can also request quotations for associated products and services, such as docking stations, batteries, USB keys, hard disks and unpacking and installation of equipment. The frameworks deliver competitive prices and are covered by a three-year, on-site, next-business-day system of warranty and support. The operation of the frameworks is governed by the vendor participation agreements, through which schools are able to benefit from a range of favourable terms and conditions, as agreed in the aggregate for eligible non-commercial public sector bodies. Framework agreements are generally set up for a period of three years, with an option of an extension for a further year, at the sole discretion of the Department of Finance in conjunction with the ICT frameworks steering group. The current framework for PCs will end on 30 April 2010. This includes the one-year extension. The three-year framework for laptops will end on 7 December 2012 with an option for extension until 7 December 2013. In forms of procurement where framework agreements do not exist, schools are required to carry out normal competitive tendering processes under general public procurement rules.

A number of schools have indicated in feedback that in certain circumstances, it may be possible to achieve better value from non-framework vendors. Therefore, it has been decided that in such situations schools may include non-framework vendors when issuing a request for quotes. However, schools must ensure they comply with public procurement procedures at all times and carry out this process in an open and equitable manner. Quotes must be sought from framework and non-framework vendors simultaneously and for an identical specification. All bidders should understand the key criteria against which their bids will be assessed. All quotes received must be evaluated against these criteria to identify the preferred bidder. Schools must keep confidential records of this process. Information for schools on this option is available on the NCTE website. Information on the evaluation process is available on the Centre for Management and Organisation Development website. I thank the Deputy.