Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Question 201: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the status on an application for audio visual equipment for a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; when she expects a decision to be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33059/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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In April 2007, I announced details of this once-off scheme, which was among the priority funding measures approved for support in 2007 under the Educational Disadvantage category of the Dormant Account Fund. Eligibility for the scheme was restricted to the 873 primary and post primary schools that are participating in my Department's School Support Programme under DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools).

The scheme provides for small scale grants primarily for the purchase of the following types of ICT equipment to support children's learning and development:

Digital Camera

Digital Video Camera

Laptop

Tablet PC

Other Computer

Data Projector

Interactive Whiteboard (including software)

Wireless mouse and keyboard

Educational Software

In October the Government approved projects in 815 schools for funding of €3,312,088. The school referred to by the Deputy was approved for a grant of €6,500. My officials issued a letter of offer of grant aid to the relevant VEC on 1 November. A form of acceptance was subsequently received by my Department on 19 November.