Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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135. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department is in a position to provide any assistance to a school (details supplied) in County Cork that must replace 12 classroom computers this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18828/14]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Integrating ICT into teaching and learning in schools remains a priority for this Government. My Department's ICT in Schools programme sets out a clear agenda to be pursued in this regard, focusing on four main priorities: ICT Infrastructure in schools, the Schools Broadband Programme, the development of teacher skills, and the provision of curriculum-relevant digital content.

On the infrastructure side, my Department distributed more than €90m in ICT infrastructure grants to schools nationwide in 2009 and 2010 including allocations of €11,973.23 and €12,195.80 to Togher Boys National School in November 2009 and 2010 respectively. These schemes prioritised the equipping of all classrooms with a digital projector, teaching computer and wireless keyboard and mouse. This ICT infrastructure grant scheme is now fully disbursed. Unfortunately, we are not in a position to provide any further funding for ICT equipment at present.

My Department is committed to the implementation of a new digital strategy for schools which will focus on enhancing teaching and learning through the use of ICT in the classroom. This strategy must address new policy challenges and opportunities arising from major developments in curricular reform, digital content and new technologies. The provision of equipment to schools will be considered in this context.