Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 197: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a breakdown of the second level schools due to be connected to high speed 100Mbps broadband under the national roll-out of high speed broadband in 2012, 2013 and 2014. [7614/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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A working group comprising representatives from my Department, HEAnet and the Department of Communications and Natural Resources have recommended a strategy for the roll out of 100mbps to post primary schools. All schools will be connected by the end of 2014. The strategy which has been accepted by Government is based upon the best technical advice available and designed to achieve best value for money. Any issues arising in the course of the roll out will be referred to the Steering Group in the first instance for guidance.

The national roll-out will be completed over three stages with 200 schools being connected by September 2012, a further 200 being connected next year and the remaining 250 schools being connected in 2014. The first 200 schools to be installed are located in areas which are served by poorer performing technologies viz. Cavan Clare Donegal Galway Laois Leitrim Longford Louth Mayo Monaghan Offaly Roscommon Sligo Westmeath

The next 200 schools will be selected once work is complete on the re-tendering of schools under the current schools broadband programme and once the first 200 schools have been connected to the 100Mbps scheme.