Fiona O'Malley (Dún Laoghaire, Progressive Democrats)
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Question 552: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if the new schools announced during September 2005 will be equipped for broadband; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30510/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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On 29 of September last, I announced plans for the provision of 23 new post-primary and four new primary schools under a major extension of the Government's public private partnership programme from 2006 to 2009. My Department is currently engaged in the roll-out of broadband connectivity to all recognised primary and post-primary schools.

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, my Department has signed contracts with a number of connectivity providers to supply broadband Internet access to schools. I confirm that these contractual arrangements provide for the connection of new schools opening within the period of the contract.