Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 475: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary and post-primary schools which have broadband internet access; the percentage of the total primary and post-primary schools these figures represent; the number of primary and post-primary schools which currently have no access to internet facilities; if they are broadband services or otherwise; when 100 per cent of schools at both primary and post-primary level will be broadband connected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15989/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, my Department is currently engaged in the roll-out of broadband internet 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 €18m joint Government — IBEC / TIF (Telecommunications and Internet Federation) Fund to provide local broadband connectivity to schools. The broadband 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. A broadband support service has also been established to assist schools with advice and information relating to the roll-out and ongoing use of their broadband connectivity within the schools network.

Following a public tendering process, contracts were awarded to six service providers for the provision of access connectivity across the 3,912 schools involved. As of the end of last week, 2,965 (92%) Primary schools and 621 (89%) Post-Primary schools had their basic connectivity service installed pursuant to these contracts. The contract for the provision of a broadband router at school level, where appropriate, was awarded to one further service provider. As of the end of last week, 2,738 (85%) of Primary schools and 610 (88%) Post-Primary schools had their router installed, either separately or as part of the basic connectivity service.

Once the local access connectivity and associated router is installed in a school, that school is required to confirm that it has an Acceptable Use Policy in place and to indicate which content filtering option it requires, prior to the activation of the school's connectivity via the Schools National Broadband Network. Currently, 2,832 schools, comprising 2,321 primary and 511 post-primary schools, have completed this phase.

It is expected that the rollout of broadband connectivity will be predominantly completed by the end of this month. However, there are a number of residual issues, e.g. school building programmes, which will delay the absolute completion of the programme beyond this stage. As new schools open, their broadband connectivity is being addressed under the existing contractual arrangements. I should point out that the provision of broadband connectivity was advanced separately in the case of a further 75 schools under two pilot projects.

The Deputy also asked the number of primary and post-primary schools that currently have no access to internet facilities. Under Schools IT2000 and in conjunction with Telecom Éireann, internet access was provided to all primary and post-primary schools, albeit at a narrowband, dial-up level.