Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 131: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his involvement in an advisory group established to examine information and communications technology here which was recently reported to have advised that under investment in the smart economy has resulted in students here being left behind; the recommendations of this report; if he will implement these recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35506/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The ICT Strategy Group Report, "Investing Effectively in ICT in Schools" .which was published in July 2008, provides a clear direction to inform actions to further the integration of ICT into teaching and learning in our schools. The Framework for Sustainable Economic Renewal, Building Ireland's Smart Economy, re-iterates Government policy to enhance the role of ICT in the education system, working in partnership with industry, to invest further in the provision of equipment and connectivity.

Earlier this year, I set up the Joint Advisory Group, comprising members of ICT Ireland, the Telecommunications and Internet Federation, the Irish Software Association, the Department of Education and Science and the National Centre for Technology in Education, to explore how best to do this having regard to the recommendations set out in the Strategy Group Report. The main recommendations of the Strategy Group Report focus on the provision of up-to-date teaching and learning in sufficient quantity in all schools, access to an appropriately specified, cost-efficient broadband service to all learning areas within the school, and a functional and dependable ICT infrastructure with access to appropriate technical support and maintenance to sustain this quality of service.

This Joint Advisory Group, which commenced its work in March this year, signifies a strong partnership between industry and the education sector, with the shared objective of supporting children's development potential by enhancing the role of ICT in the education system.

The Group's report is being finalised at the moment and I will be considering the recommendations made by the Group in the context of existing policy and available funding.