Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 588: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her proposals to improve the provision and quality of computers in schools. [34160/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy will be pleased to know that a census of school ICT facilities carried out in May and June of last year by the National Centre for Technology in Education found that the ratio of computers to students has improved significantly in recent years.

As the Deputy will be aware, major investment has also been provided for developing school networks and bringing broadband to our schools in recent years. The roll-out of broadband to all schools has been undertaken in partnership with industry, in the context of the joint Government/IBEC — TIF (Telecommunications and Internet Federation) Agreement. The broadband connectivity is being provided via a Schools National Broadband Network supported by HEAnet, in order to provide managed Internet access, email, security controls and content filtering. A broadband support service is being managed by the NCTE to assist schools with advice and information relating to the roll-out and ongoing use of their broadband connectivity within the schools network.

I am aware of the benefits that good use of ICT can bring to our children's education and will bear this in mind in considering what areas should be the future priorities for the ICT in Schools Programme.