Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 468: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if grants are available to a school (details supplied) in County Donegal which has two computers and no Internet access; the grant or funding options for this school that wishes to purchase physical education equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41448/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that the school in question had a satellite broadband connection under phase I of the Schools Broadband Programme. The satellite dish was taken down when the school moved to a new building on the same premises and I understand there have been problems since the dish was re-installed. My Department is currently awarding contracts under the second phase of the Programme and the indications from the recently completed evaluation of tenders are that this will mean enhanced bandwidth for schools.

The school in question is due to get a DSL solution under this second phase with a different service provider, and my Department will ensure that this is rolled out to the school as soon as possible. I also wish to inform the Deputy that on Monday, 16 November I announced grants totalling €22 million which will issue to primary schools before the end of this year. Schools will be asked to prioritise these grants to ensure that there's a teaching laptop and digital projector in every classroom.

In regard to physical education equipment, a special PE funding package of €6.5 million issued in 2006 to primary schools, and in 2007 a similar package of €3 million issued to post-primary schools. Under these packages, primary schools received €2,000 and post-primary €4,000 towards the cost of replacing and upgrading PE equipment. This grant was issued, as a once-off measure, to enable schools to replace older equipment such as goalposts, PE mats, benches etc. Since 2000 the Department has also provided in excess of €5.5m in grant-aid to primary schools to facilitate the provision of coaching or mentoring in connection with physical education or to purchase resource materials associated with the provision of physical education. Such materials and equipment would normally be expected to last for a number of years.

In addition the devolved grant scheme for minor works issues to national schools each year. All such schools with full recognition receive a basic grant of €5,500 plus €18.50 per mainstream pupil. This grant is intended to address works required to the physical infrastructure of the schools or on items of furniture and equipment for educational use, including PE and IT related equipment. Around €28m is paid out annually to primary schools throughout the country to enable thousands of small scale works to be completed without the need to interact with my Department.