Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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201. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary and secondary schools which do not have access to broadband, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14564/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The overall policy of my Department is to offer the best quality connectivity to all recognised primary and post-primary schools in line with technical solutions available in the market and within required financial parameters. All post primary schools receive at least 100mbts connectivity through a programme undertaken jointly between the Department of Communications Energy and Natural Resources (now the Department of Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources) and my Department. That programme is now fully funded and operated by this Department.

Through the Schools Broadband Access Programme, the Department provides for the supply of internet connectivity for all recognised primary schools. A framework involving 14 providers was put in place in 2012 which has ensured improved solutions are available to primary schools. The most recent draw down off the framework last September saw approximately 90% of school connections retendered, with over 1,100 schools awarded connections of 30Mbit/s or greater. Approximately 400 of these connections have been installed to date and the remainder will be installed in the coming months.

While broadband provision is awarded to every school, there are a very small number of schools where we are still seeking a suitable service owing primarily to their geographical location and the availability of broadband. These school are currently with the relevant broadband providers to investigate solutions and put in place the service. There are also a small number of schools who choose not to participate in the schools broadband scheme.

Under the current programme the Department continually reviews the availability of services and upgrades schools where the opportunity arises, within the parameters of the programme and in compliance with procurement and contractual obligations

However, the need to improve broadband connectivity to primary schools is recognised in the new Digital Strategy for Schools and the Department will collaborate with the Department of Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources to address this as a priority action. Work on the implementation of the Strategy is now underway.