John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 315: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will provide a progress report on the roll-out of broadband into schools in Clondalkin and Lucan. [27044/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, my Department is currently engaged in the roll-out of broadband Internet connectivity to all recognised primary and post-primary schools. This connectivity is being provided via a schools national broadband network supported by HEAnet, which will provide managed Internet access, email, security controls, content filtering and other services designed to enhance the educational process. This project is being undertaken in partnership with industry, following the establishment of a three year €18 million joint Government-IBEC/TIF fund.

Following a competitive tender process, contracts have been agreed with six companies selected for the provision of access connectivity across the nearly 4,000 schools involved and with the other further company selected for the provision of a broadband router at school level. The schools national broadband network and the service desk are operational and the roll-out process of local connectivity to schools is under way. It is expected that the roll-out will be completed by March 2006.

While the overall pace of school installations is agreed within the individual contacts with the companies concerned, the order and selection of individual school installations is a matter for each company. My Department would not be aware of when individual schools are scheduled to be connected.