Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 348: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number and names of post-primary schools in County Louth which have high speed broadband installed and operating. [5739/07]

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 349: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number and name of primary schools in County Louth which have high speed broadband installed and operating. [5740/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 348 and 349 together.

The Deputy will be aware that my Department is 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 in the context of a Government — IBEC/TIF (Telecommunications and Internet Federation) Agreement 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 Desk 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. The total cost of the project for the three year period will be in the region of €30m.

Following a competitive public procurement process, contracts were finalised with a number of service providers for the provision of local broadband access to 3,925 schools, of which 87 are in County Louth. The broadband connectivity of a further 75 schools, including 3 in County Louth, was advanced separately under two pilot projects. Roll out of the local connectivity and router installation commenced in June 2005. The installation process has two stages starting with the local broadband connectivity installation (involving DSL, satellite or wireless technology) followed by the installation of a high-speed router and circuit and acceptance testing. A school then must confirm that it has an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) in place and it must indicate which content filtering option it requires prior to the activation of the school's connectivity via the Schools National Broadband Network.

In relation to County Louth, as of 12 February 2007, 68 primary schools (96%) and 16 post-primary schools (100%) have had their local connectivity installed and have had their router capability installed and tested. Of these, 66 primary schools and 15 post-primary schools have confirmed their AUP status and selected their content filtering option and the Broadband Support Service Desk is pursuing the 3 schools that have yet to complete the process. As mentioned earlier, a further 3 schools have had the broadband connectivity provided under the Advanced Deployment Programme. The details of the individual schools involved are set out in the table.

Of the three schools in County Louth yet to be installed, one schools installation was deferred pending the completion of building works at the school. On completion of these works, the selected service provider has handed back the schools having failed to achieve line of sight and this school will be re-awarded to an alternative provider. The initial technology option selected in the case of the other two schools failed and these schools have been re-awarded to alternative providers for installation.