Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 240: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if any recommendations of the Information and Communications Technology Strategy Group report Investing Effectively in Information and Communications Technology for Schools 2007 to 2013 have been implemented to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10554/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I published the Report of the Strategy Group appointed to advise on the priorities for investment in ICT in Schools last July. As the Deputy will be aware, the Report sets out a substantial agenda to be addressed across a range of complementary areas including continuing professional development; ICT equipment; software and digital content; broadband connectivity and technical support. I acknowledged the significant challenges to be faced in fully implementing the Report's recommendations having regard to the economic situation and indeed, it was necessary to delay the implementation of some recommendations last year in order to meet demand led costs that arose elsewhere on my Department's Vote.

Nevertheless, a number of the recommendations are being pursued. The National Centre for Technology in Education continues to provide advice and support to schools on the integration of ICT into teaching and learning and to provide a range of ICT continuing professional development courses for teachers. The role of the school's ICT coordinating teacher, with the support of the school principal, is being prioritised as central in the provision of ongoing ICT support and advice to teachers. In this context, the NCTE is finalising a handbook, Planning and Implementing e-Learning in your School, for principals and ICT co-ordinating teachers, A professional development course for ICT coordinating teachers on the development of e-Learning Plans is also available. It is intended to provide nationwide seminars on e-Learning and the first tranche of these seminars, targeting ICT coordinating teachers in post-primary schools were held late last year. The NCTE has set up a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), accessible by all ICT coordinating teachers who have attended the seminars. This VLE will be used as a method of organising CPD and support groups at local level. It is also an efficient channel of communication for the NCTE with this group of teachers, who are already actively exchanging resources and ideas in this online community.

The NCTE is also working with the support services supported by my Department to ensure that the integration of ICT is specifically incorporated into all the support service activities and that it is recognised as an integral part of all curriculum development, support and training rather than an optional add-on. My Department is currently evaluating tenders for the next round of the Schools' Broadband Programme and the range of services available to schools is being expanded. My Department is working with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to pursue the Government objective of equipping second-level schools with 100Mb per second of broadband connectivity and installing local area networks as outlined in the Next Generation Broadband Policy Paper.

The NCTE continues to expand the substantial digital resources available on the web portal Scoilnet and is acquiring access to on-line reference materials, following the establishment of a framework agreement for the purchase of relevant digital content.

On the question of ICT equipment, while new post-primary school buildings projects included ICT equipment budgets there was no similar arrangement at primary level. I was pleased to announce that this situation was being addressed with the provision of ICT equipment grants of €2.2m recently issuing to 72 primary schools where a newly constructed school, a large scale extension or a system build facility reached practical completion in 2008. These grants will enable schools equip their new classrooms with an appropriate technology configuration to integrate ICT into their teaching and learning.

I am committed to investing in this area as resources permit and I recognise the need to explore innovative and cost-effective ways in which we enhance the classroom experience for students and teachers by effective use of ICT. The technology industry strongly advocates greater integration of ICT into teaching and learning in our schools and my Department is working with industry to explore possible approaches to implementing the recommendations set out in the Strategy Group's Report, having regard to the funding for ICT in my Department's budget.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 241: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount of his budget 2009 that will be devoted to the development of information, communications technology in schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10555/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The amount provided in the Budget presented on 14th October last for Schools ICT Activities, in subhead B18 of my Department's Vote, is €26.353m, comprising a current provision of €16.353m and a capital provision of €10m. In addition, my Department will provide ICT equipment grants as part of major building projects under my Department's School Building Programme.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 242: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of schools at primary and second level that received new computers each year for the past five years; the number of computers that were purchased in total; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10556/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In terms of the numbers of computers in schools, the 2005 Census of ICT Infrastructure in Schools, undertaken by the National Centre for Technology in Education found that the overall number of computers in schools had increased to an estimated 97,709, which implies an overall improvement in the pupil to computer ratio to 9.1:1 at primary and 7:1 at post-primary.

My Department does not have a record of the number of schools that have purchased new computers in the last five years and schools have undoubtedly continued to acquire computers since 2005. Indeed, under my Department's School Building Programme, new post-primary school buildings projects include ICT equipment budgets and as the Deputy may also be aware, some €2.2m was recently provided in ICT equipment grants to 72 primary schools in which a newly constructed school or large-scale extension was completed in 2008. Grants were also issued to some 500 post-primary schools to upgrade their facilities to provide the new Technology syllabus and the revised Design and Communication Graphics syllabus with effect from September 2007. It is understood that some 11,000 computers have been acquired in this context, with schools using their own funding in some instances. In addition, the Grant Scheme for Minor Works to National School Properties includes ICT equipment within the range of approved school expenditure and my Department provides a grant scheme for the provision of assistive technology, including computers, for students with special educational needs. I remain committed to investing in the area of ICT in schools, as resources permit.

The Deputy will be aware that my Department is working with industry, via an industry advisory group, which is chaired by Paul Rellis of Microsoft and includes other ICT industry representatives, to explore possible approaches to implementing the recommendations in the ICT Strategy Group Report.

The Advisory Group is currently examining what information is available on the quantity and type of ICT equipment that has been purchased by schools in recent years.