Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 423: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to develop a cross-departmental strategy with the Department of Education and Skills in view of the fact that his Department has made a provision of €10 million in its 2011 Estimates to develop high-speed broadband infrastructure for schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21958/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources has worked closely with the Department of Education and Skills on the successful delivery to 78 second level schools of the 100 mbps pilot project.

My Department made a provision of some €10 million in its 2011 capital estimate to fund the capital element of a possible national roll-out.

The ongoing annual costs associated with a national implementation will fall to be managed by the Department of Education and Skills and that Department is still examining the modalities of ensuring that the necessary level of funding can be secured annually to meet the various contractual commitments that will arise in such a programme. Officials in both Departments are involved in ongoing contacts on this matter.

There is a strong recognition by both Departments, working together, of the benefits of providing enhanced ICT in schools from an education, economic and knowledge society perspective.