Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 386: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of funding he provides for the provision of computers in both primary and secondary schools here; the amount provided for same in 2012 and in each of the years from 2002 to 2011; if he will provide a breakdown of this funding for primary schools and secondary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19098/12]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 387: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the data available to him regarding the number of Irish primary schools and Irish secondary schools that have received funding for computers from his Department; the number of schools here that currently do not have access to computers for their students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19099/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 387 and 386 together.

Under the ICT in Schools Programme funding is made available for the provision of computers and other ICT infrastructure for schools. The provision of funding for ICT equipment is one strand of the ICT in Schools Programme. The Programme addresses four key themes: internet access for schools (broadband since 2005) teacher professional development in ICT ICT infrastructure deployment in schools deployment of curriculum-relevant digital content and software for use in the classroom. Since the inception of the ICT in Schools Programme significant investment has been made. Between 2009 and 2011 inclusive, some €126m has been allocated under the programme, including €92m in ICT Infrastructure Grant funding. Schools received a block grant of €1,700 (€2,550 if DEIS), plus a per-capita grant for pupils enrolled at 30th September 2009. Grants averaged about €14,000 per school at primary level and €61,000 per school at post-primary. Grants were issued on a devolved basis, with expenditure to be undertaken by schools themselves (or by each VEC in the case of VEC schools). Schools were asked to prioritise equipping each classroom with a teaching computer and digital projector, after which they can spend any remaining balance on other ICT equipment and software according to local needs. The table below shows the number of schools which benefited under the grant scheme.

To help schools make the most of their investment, the Department arranged a number of key supports in tandem over this period, including:

annual delivery of approximately 12,000 ICT CPD places for teachers on Department-funded courses, primarily through the Education Centre network

dissemination of an e-learning handbook, supported by national delivery of e-learning seminars for school leaders [providing schools with a comprehensive approach to multi-annual ICT planning and enhancing local leadership capacity to get the most from ICT]

delivery of the schools broadband service and its helpdesk to more than 96% schools

deployment of central national procurement arrangements accompanied by simplified procedures, giving schools the benefit of centrally negotiated terms and conditions

delivery of a national internet safety programme and its associated website (www.webwise.ie)

collaborative development, procurement and dissemination of curriculum-relevant digital content, delivered mainly through the national portal for ICT in education www.scoilnet.ie.

This investment has delivered significant improvements in the infrastructural base nationally. An ICT in Schools survey will be carried out this year. The results of this survey will assist my Department in the drawing up of a new ICT plan in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government. As the Deputy will appreciate, my Department is not currently in a position to commit additional resources to ICT capital investment having regard to other priorities. The capital allocation for this year is focused primarily on meeting essential capital costs under the Schools Broadband Programme. The total allocation to the ICT in Schools Programme for 2012 is €13.8m and this allocation allows the programme to remain focused on maintaining priority services. The Government has approved the roll out of 100mbps broadband to all post primary schools. 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.Integrating ICT into teaching and learning in schools remains a priority for my Department.