Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 222: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his views on the digital schools award in primary schools; his plans to enable all schools to achieve this award; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9825/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Digital Schools Award recognises excellence in a school's approach to the integration of ICT in learning and teaching. The award scheme was launched in 2006 and aims to build on the progress already made by schools in ICT integration and to encourage them to strive for further progression. To achieve a Digital Schools Award, each participating school must fulfil identified criteria which are applied as part of the validation process. The criteria are organised under Leadership & Vision, ICT in the Curriculum, School ICT Culture, Professional Development and Resources & Infrastructure.

The Digital Schools Award is managed by the NCTE in partnership with the Irish Primary Principals Network (IPPN), Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) and the Computer Education Society of Ireland (CESI). Since its launch the Digital Schools Award has grown steadily. The Award became available to all primary schools in January 2008. Consideration may be given to extending the scheme to post primary schools. Eight primary schools received the award in 2009. In total 56 schools have achieved Digital School Status and nine schools are in a position to be validated. In 2009 €1.5 million of Dormant Account funding was allocated for 100 DEIS Urban Band 1 schools to assist them to achieve Digital Schools status.

I am fully committed to this scheme and see it as a building block in the development of an ICT culture in our schools.