Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 719: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if the information, communication and technology needs assessment was carried out in individual primary or secondary schools prior to the development of the smart schools equal smart economy plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7016/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The "Smart Schools = Smart Economy Report", published late last year, builds on the 2008 ICT Strategy Group Report "Investing Effectively in Information and Communications Technology in Schools" which was produced by a Strategy Group comprised in the main of education professionals who were working on a daily basis in schools and colleges; in addition the group consulted widely. This Strategy Group Report 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. The Joint Advisory Group was set up with industry to explore initiatives in regard to this. The Joint Advisory Group, in producing the Smart Schools = Smart Economy Report, did not carry out individual ICT needs assessments but reviewed the Strategy Group Report and drew on existing verified data regarding level and use of ICT in schools, in reaching its conclusions. In particular, the Group reviewed the following studies - the European Commission's 2006 survey on the use of computers and the internet in schools, the 2005 census of schools carried out by the National Centre for Technology in Education, and the OECD's Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 6 study in 2006 which contained some questions on computer use in schools.

I am in the process of setting up an ICT Steering Group to oversee and advise on the implementation of the recommendations of the Smart Schools Report. I have invited nominees from a broad cross-section of the education sector as well as the relevant Government Departments to participate in this group and to contribute to addressing the ICT needs of schools.