Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 330: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if the €252 million earmarked in the national development plan for the development of information and communication technology in schools will be delivered in tandem with the recently announced €150 million; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43700/09]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 331: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he has committed an annual budget of €30 million as outlined in the Smart Schools Smart Economy document for the support, rolling replacement and enhancement of the information and communication technology in schools service; when this €30 million will first be delivered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43701/09]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 330 and 331 together. The Deputy will be aware that the investment (of the order of €252 million) mentioned in the National Development Plan for ICT in schools was to cover investment over the period of the Plan 2007 - 2013. The Plan also outlined that a detailed ICT strategy would be published by my Department which will deal with developing an e-Learning culture in schools that will ensure that ICT usage is embedded in teaching and learning across the curriculum; teacher professional development; the maintenance of a national broadband network for schools; the upgrading and renewal of hardware; and the provision of software and digital content for learning. That ICT Strategy Report "Investing Effectively in ICT in Schools 2008-2013" was published by my Department in July 2008 and earlier this year I set up the Advisory Group to explore possible approaches to implementing the recommendations set out in the Strategy Group Report. The recommendations of the Advisory Group were published in the "Smart Schools = Smart Economy" Report which the Taoiseach launched on 17 November last.

The Advisory Group Report recommends an initial investment package of €150m over the next 3 years and that this should then be followed with an annual budget in the region of €30m for support, rolling replacement and enhancement of the service. At the launch of the "Smart Schools = Smart Economy" Report the Taoiseach re-affirmed the Government's commitment to providing funding to support the integration of information communications technology (ICT) in teaching and learning in our schools. As I outlined at the launch I am committed to making funding available for ICT in schools over the next three years. As a first step, €22 million in grants will issue to primary schools before the end of this year with the priority on ensuring that there is a teaching laptop and digital projector in every classroom. Funding for post-primary schools will be made available early in the New Year.

The total amount of funding to be made available for ICT equipment next year is being considered as part of the overall Capital allocation that is to be agreed by Government.