Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 273: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to a scheme (details supplied) that will provide whiteboards in primary school classrooms in return for 500 old mobile phones collected by the school community; the percentage of the €150 million in diverted school building funds that will be spent on installing whiteboards in school classrooms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44935/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware of the scheme run by the Jack and Jill Foundation whereby schools are provided with Interactive Whiteboards in return for recycling mobile phones. I understand that a large number of schools have registered for this scheme.

The recently published Advisory Group Report "Smart Schools = Smart Economy" recommends an initial investment package of €150m over the next 3 years and I am committed to making funding available for ICT in schools over these years. As a first step, €22 million in grants was issued to primary schools last week, with the priority on ensuring that there is a teaching computer and digital projector in every classroom. Funding for post-primary schools will be made available early in the New Year.

One of the main recommendations of the Advisory Group Report is that, as a minimum, a teaching computer be deployed in every classroom in 2009/2010, along with a digital projector. Schools who have been issued ICT grants are being asked to prioritise the purchase of this equipment. Once this level of technology is in place in every classroom in the school, the funding may then be used towards the purchase of other ICT devices such as interactive whiteboards, digital video cameras, visualisers, speakers etc.