Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the grants being provided to broadband suppliers to ensure that their services are connecting to schools in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47661/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The national roll-out of the 100Mp/s to post primary schools project, led by my Department in partnership with the Department of Education and Skills, will be completed over three stages with 202 schools, being connected in 2012, a further 200 being connected in 2013 and the remaining 250 schools being connected in 2014.

Expenditure on this project is not in the form of grants. All contracts are awarded following a competitive tendering process (in line with public procurement rules) and payments are only made on satisfactory completion of contractual obligations. In 2012 it is expected that service providers will be paid approximately €2m by my Department for the provision of services.

Under the separate Schools Broadband Access Programme the Department of Education and Skills provides for the supply of Internet connectivity for all recognised primary schools and those post primary schools not connected under the 100Mbit/s programme to date. The latter schools will be upgraded to 100Mbit/s as my Department’s scheme is progressively rolled out as set out above.