Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 158: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount of the information technology grant awarded to each primary school in County Meath for each of the years 2003, 2004, 2005 and to date in 2006 in tabular form. [40961/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The ICT in Schools Programme commenced in 1998 following the publication of Schools IT2000. The objective of the Programme is to ensure that all students have the opportunity to achieve computer literacy and to acquire the necessary skills for participation in the Information Society. By the end of last year, over €170m was invested in the Programme since its commencement including some €114m in Capital supports to schools for the purchase of ICT equipment and the provision of internal computer networks.

The information sought by the Deputy in relation to County Meath is not readily available.

The major focus for my Department under the ICT in Schools Programme at the moment is the roll-out of broadband connectivity to all recognised 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 connectivity at school level. 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 National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE) to assist schools with advice and information relating to the roll-out and ongoing use of their broadband connectivity within the schools network. The overall costs of the Schools Broadband Access Programme, including the initial set-up and ongoing costs over the three years, are in the region of €30m.

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.