Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 134: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the steps she has taken to improve information and communications technology facilities in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32874/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The ICT in Schools Programme commenced in 1998 and since then €243m has been invested in the Programme. The Programme has addressed four broad areas.

Firstly, the provision of essential ICT infrastructure and networking within schools. Secondly, the provision of access to broadband connectivity to schools. Thirdly, up-skilling teachers' ICT skills and finally, integrating ICT within the curriculum and providing curriculum relevant digital content and software.

In November 2009, the "Smart Schools = Smart Economy" Report was published. This report builds on the 2008 strategy group report, and contains relevant recommendations in the context of how best to realise the potential of ICT use in schools. A Steering Group was established to oversee and advise on the implementation of the recommendations. Following the publication of the Smart Schools Report, €22m in ICT grants was provided to primary schools. A similar amount will issue shortly to post primary schools. In addition to the provision of ICT hardware there are significant developments on all aspects of the ICT in Schools Programme. The National Centre for Technology in Education contributes to the ICT in Schools Programme in several key respects. Under its Teaching Skills Initiative, the NCTE offers a range of ICT related training programmes. An estimated 12,000 training places were provided in 2009. Scoilnet, the national portal for digital content in Irish Education provides a central resource to teachers, pupils and parents, offering access to a growing repository of advice and information.

In relation to Broadband for schools, since the commencement of the rollout of phase II in 2009 there has already been over a 50% increase in aggregate bandwidth usage, this is due to improved bandwidth speeds being made available to schools and the substantial reduction in the number of schools who are connected via satellite.

My Department is working with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in a pilot project to roll out 100 megabits broadband connectivity to 78 post primary schools. All 78 schools are now connected. The availability of 100 megabits will enable students to learn and collaborate on-line and will provide potential for new forms of collaboration between schools.

My Department will continue to implement the ambitious ICT in Schools Programme which will ensure that our schools are making the best use of ICT in teaching and learning.