Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 110: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of the 75 second level schools, mentioned in Building Ireland's Smart Economy, published by the Government in December 2008 that have been equipped with 100Mb per second broadband to date; the name, address and roll number of all 75 schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44006/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

78 Schools have been installed with a 100Mbit/s connection broadband connection. The schools are as follows: 60010P Loreto Secondary School Co. Dublin 60122D Coláiste Bríde Dublin 22 60263V St. Joseph's College Co. Dublin 61140K St Leos College, Dublin Road Carlow 61560J St Kierans College Secondary School, College Rd Kilkenny 61730I Colaiste Naomh Mhuire Kildare 61820J Loreto Secondary School Wicklow 62830R St Eunans College Donegal 62840U Letterkenny Donegal 63040Q Presentation College Secondary School Headford Galway 63100I Calasanctius College Galway 63210P Our Ladys Bower Secondary School Co Westmeath 63610I Good Counsel College Co Wexford 63710M Mercy Secondary School, Ballymahon Co Longford 63900R St Vincents Co Louth 64250J Presentation Secondary School Limerick 64990D St Angela's School Waterford 65630B Killina Presenation Secondary School Co. Offaly 68067P St Nathy's College Co Roscommon 70041J Collinstown Park Community College Co. Dublin 70260V St Macdara's Community College Dublin 70420R Carlow Vocational School Co. Carlow 71103K Colaiste Choilm Co. Cork 71120K Cork College of Commerce Co. Cork 71244F Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada Co. Donegal 71300M Gairmscoil Einne Galway 71370K Colaiste Ghobnait Galway 71410T Athlone Community College Westmeath 71630K Enniscorthy Vocational College Wexford 71770D O Fiaich College Co Louth 71840V Colaiste Chiarain Limerick 71950F St Peter's College, Dunboyne Co Meath 72210Q Beech Hill College Monaghan 72241E St Pauls Community College Waterford 76060U Davitt College Mayo 76062B Castleknock Community College Dublin 76073G Castletroy College Limerick 76079S Colaiste Phobail Cholmcille Donegal 76087R Cavan Institute Cavan 81002K Mount Temple Comprehensive School Dublin 81014R Crescent College Comprehensive S.J. Limerick 91338D St Aidans Community School Dublin 91344V Pobalscoil Rosmini Dublin 91388S Carrigaline Community School Cork 91406R Carndonagh Community School Donegal 91492N Gorey Community School Co Wexford 91494R St Louis community School Mayo 91496V Carrick Community School Leitrim 91497A Cashel Community School 91498C Gort Community School Galway 91500J Loreto Community School Donegal 91501L Moate Community School Westmeath 91510M St Colmcilles Community School Knocklyon, Dublin 16 60261R St. Benildus College Co. Dublin 60731F St. Dominic's College Co. Dublin 60792C Presentation Secondary School Warrenmount Dublin 60902G St Pauls Secondary School Greenhills Dublin 61661P Salesian College, Celbridge Kildare 61920N St Flannans College Clare 62692I Christ King Secondary School Cork 62861F St Columbas College Donegal 62960H St Joseph's Patrician College Galway 63841E St Marys Diocesan School Drogheda, Co Louth 65170Q Summerhill College Sligo Sligo 68068R Colaiste Iosagain Laois 68070E Mercy Secondary School Kerry 70342A Ballyfermot College of FE Dublin 70700A Maynooth Post Primary School Co. Kildare 71761C St. Olivers CC Louth 71960I Dunshaughlin Community College Co. Meath 72230W St Declans Community College Co. Waterford 81017A Trinity Comprehensive School Dublin 91315O Coolmine Community School Dublin 91325R Malahide Community School Dublin 91332O St Marks Community School Dublin 91339F Hartstown Community School Dublin 91408V Pobalscoil Chloich Cheannfhasha Donegal 91447I St. Caimin's Community School Clare

The schools were selected by a working group made up of representatives from: the Department of Education and Skills; the Department of Communications Energy and Natural Resources; the National centre for Technology in Education; and HEAnet.

A two stage selection process was used for the selection of schools: Stage 1: Examined all schools against sub criteria that were independent of the schools. Stage 2: Examined schools qualified from stage 1 against sub criteria that were school dependent.

STAGE 1

4 sub criteria were identified under Stage 1 of the selection process as set out below: Geographical Location; Technical Mix; Social Inclusion and Adequate mix of schools

Geographical Location:

The working group sought to ensure that an appropriate percentage of schools invited to participate in the project was achieved between both Dublin and provincial locations. It was also felt that an urban/rural mix could be achieved by ensuring that an adequate number of places were available to the provincial locations. Additionally, it was felt that all counties should be represented in the pilot project. Whilst geographical location was used as the starting point in deciding the selection of schools for progress to stage 2, the working group examined each location with the other criteria in mind. Accordingly, in order to achieve excellent VFM with regard to both backhaul and infrastructure investment, the working group decided to locate a significant number of the provincial locations in places where HEAnet has a major point of presence (PoP) and a contractual agreement to access the PoP.

The working group decided that the following regions should be included for participation in the pilot project: Dublin Cork Limerick Athlone Galway Letterkenny Waterford Dundalk Tipperary

The remaining places were reserved for locations outside these areas that satisfied specific requirements of the pilot project.

Technology Mix:

The working group wanted to ensure that all technologies that can deliver a 100Mbit/s connection would be tested during the demonstration project. It was decided that areas within a 30km radius of HEAnet PoPs would satisfy this requirement. Accordingly, all schools located within this radius for each of the eight PoPs were identified.

In the Dublin area, it was anticipated that a variety of access technologies could connect the selected schools. As such, the working group were of the opinion that the telecommunications market in Dublin was sufficiently developed to allow a mix of bandwidth technologies to be proposed without the need for further intervention by the working group. The working group decided that the schools in Dublin should, where possible, include five schools from each of the local authorities.

Social Inclusion:

The working group wanted to ensure that specific communities could be included in the project from a social inclusion perspective. This criterion ensures that island, rural and DEIS schools were included in the project.

Adequate Mix of Schools:

While prioritising schools with a significant student population under the criteria set out above, the working group endeavoured to ensure that an adequate mix of schools were also chosen to be invited to participate in the demonstration project. Consequently, a number of schools were selected with reference to the following selection criteria: Schools with a large cohort of students with special educational needs Post Leaving Certificate Schools Gaelscoileanna/Gaeltacht Schools ICT Adoption Gender mix Rural/urban mix Schools type Size of school

STAGE 2

Stage 2 of the selection process sought to ensure that the schools shortlisted from Stage 1 had the commitment, infrastructure and support to realize the potential of 100Mbit/s bandwidth. Shortlisted schools were invited to apply for inclusion in the project outlining how participation in the project would support their e-learning plan, and what would be required of them in being involved in the project. The working group felt a range of schools with differing levels of ICT usage and infrastructure would be desirable in the project. Schools had to agree to the project commitments to qualify for the project.

3 sub criteria were identified under stage 2 of the selection process as set out: Current structures and Infrastructure; Usage of internet for learning and teaching, including any projects; and Commitment to the project requirements over the next 2 years.

Current Structures and Infrastructure:

The working group wanted to ensure that all schools qualified from Stage 1 would be examined with regard to their ability to utilise the proposed connection as quickly as possible. It was proposed to focus on the schools individual e-learning team and plan, current ICT infrastructure (specifically devices) and teachers ICT proficiency.

Usage of internet for learning and teaching, including any projects:

The working group wanted to ensure that the schools invited to participate in the project had a digital agenda with regard to ICT within the learning and teaching environment.

From a project feasibility point of view, all schools identified as suitable for participation in the pilot were subject to examination with regard to cost effectiveness and the ability to deliver the required infrastructure within budgetary constraints.