Written answers

Tuesday, 19 January 2010

Department of Education and Science

Computerisation Programme

9:00 pm

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1087: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of the recently announced information and communications technology infrastructure grant for schools, he will allow schools that have already borrowed money to buy ICT equipment and interactive whiteboards to use the funds to pay off these borrowings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1477/10]

Photo of Batt O'KeeffeBatt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that €22m in ICT grants was issued to primary schools in November last, with the priority on ensuring that there is a teaching computer and digital projector in every classroom.

Schools have been advised by letter that this funding must be used, in the first instance, towards equipping each classroom with a teaching computer with wireless mouse and keyboard, and a fixed digital projector. Only when this baseline equipment is in place for each classroom, should the funding be used for other ICT equipment. A list of recommended additional equipment such as interactive whiteboards, was also issued to schools. These requirements are in line with the recommendations of the recently published 'Smart Schools = Smart Economy' report, which is the new action plan on integrating ICT in schools, produced by the joint industry advisory group established by the Minister last year. This report builds on the earlier strategy group report, 'Investing Effectively in ICT in Schools'.

The Deputy will be aware that all purchasing using public monies must be carried out in compliance with public procurement regulations. Where schools have already purchased equipment that conforms to the requirements of the grants package, (that is, a teaching computer and digital projector for each classroom as a priority) and in compliance with public procurement rules, the grant may be used to offset the cost of these purchases.

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1088: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of the recently announced information and communications technology infrastructure grant for schools, he will make provision for schools that have already purchased information and communications technology equipment such as interactive whiteboards and cannot access the funding stream as it is currently constituted due to the fact that they have no use for the baseline teaching computer and fixed digital projector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1478/10]

Photo of Batt O'KeeffeBatt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that in November last year the Minister published the 'Smart Schools = Smart Economy' report, which is the new action plan on integrating ICT in schools, produced by the joint advisory group established by the Minister in 2009. This report builds on the earlier Strategy Group report, 'Investing Effectively in ICT in Schools' and both reports make recommendations to support the integration of information communications technology (ICT) in teaching and learning in schools.

As a first step in implementing these recommendations, €22m in ICT grants was issued to primary schools in November last, with the priority on ensuring that there is a teaching computer and digital projector in every classroom. The teaching computer will be connected to the schools Local Area Network and to the digital projector in order to access and show curriculum-based digital content. Both Reports have advised that this combination is an extremely useful and effective teaching tool that facilitates a range of learning opportunities in whole-class teaching scenarios.

Only if a school already has a teaching computer and digital projector in place in each classroom, can the ICT grant be used to purchase other devices such as digital video devices, visualisers, printers, speakers and interactive whiteboards etc, to further develop the schools ICT infrastructure. A list of such recommended additional equipment has also been issued to schools.

The Deputy will be aware that all purchasing using public monies must be carried out in compliance with public procurement regulations. Schools have been notified that all purchasing of ICT equipment must be in compliance with public procurement rules, and Department of Finance Framework Agreements where available.

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