Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 632: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when the value for money review of schools information communication technology programmes will be complete; the value of the anticipated savings to the Exchequer due to the implementation of this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26672/08]

Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 663: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason funding is being cut to assist Kildare primary schools in providing computer training to primary school pupils, as in the case of a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will re-examine his decision in this matter. [27016/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 668: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he has received correspondence from parents, teachers or schools regarding the proposed withdrawal of funding for all information and communication technology advisory services; if he will review this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27108/08]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 753: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if his Department has withheld sanction for continuation of the information and communication technology adviser positions in all education centres; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that cessation of secondments to ICT Advisor posts would deprive pupils and teachers of vital support in the area of ICT; the way he proposes to progress ICT skills development in the absence of ICT advisors in education centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27412/08]

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 757: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the recent decision to discontinue the National Centre for Technology in Education posts of information and communication technology advisors within the education centres here; the impact this decision will have on the work of education centres, the teacher education section in his Department, the school development planning initiative and the second level support service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27434/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 632, 663, 668, 753 and 757 together.

The changes to which the Deputies refer arise from a Value for Money Review of the ICT Support Services which was undertaken by my Department and which will shortly be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. The review concluded that while the service is generally effective and efficient, the resources currently utilised by the ICT Advisory Service operating from the regional Education Centres would be better employed focussing supports for ICT leadership and change within each school. The review highlights the need to ensure that the integration of ICT is specifically incorporated into all support service activities funded by my Department and that ICT is recognised as an integral part of all curriculum development, support and training rather than an optional add-on.

There are three vacancies among the 21 ICT Advisor posts attached to the regional full-time Education Centres. A further post is due to be vacated in September following the retirement of an ICT advisor. Of the remaining 17 posts, 14 are filled by teachers on secondment from their teaching duties and three are filled on a non-secondment contract basis. These posts have been renewed annually. Against this background, the Education Centres have been informed by the National Centre for Technology in Education, NCTE, that my Department is not prepared to renew secondment arrangements for the 14 teachers seconded as ICT advisors. The NCTE has discussed the implementation of these arrangements with the Education Centres and schools concerned and my Department has met with the teacher unions. My Department will ensure that any difficulties arising in specific schools due to the return of the teachers concerned will be addressed. The position of the three non-seconded ICT advisors is under consideration.

I have received correspondence regarding this matter and my Department has met with the teacher unions in relation thereto. The annual cost of the 14 seconded teachers is some €1.3m. It is intended that any consequential savings will be directed to support ICT in schools. The NCTE will continue to provide advice and support to schools on the integration of ICT into teaching and learning and will continue to provide a range of ICT continuing professional development courses for teachers. The NCTE will work closely with the support services supported by my Department. The role of the school's ICT coordinating teacher, with the support of the school principal, will be prioritised as central in the provision of ongoing ICT support and advice to teachers. Local school-based and peer to peer support has been identified internationally as the most effective way to further ICT integration in schools. This emphasis on "in-school" promotion of, and support for, ICT integration in learning and teaching is consistent with both the report of the Strategy Group, appointed to advise on the priorities for investment in ICT in Schools and the evaluation report undertaken by my Department's Inspectorate on the impact of ICT on teaching and learning. These reports will be published shortly.