Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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144. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the maintenance of high quality broadband to schools was a part of the schools broadband contract of his department; if he has been informed of the reduction in service in the broadband provision to a school (details supplied); the steps taken to ensure the service is up to standard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34190/16]

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 Climate Action and Environment 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. In 2015, it was agreed that over 1,100 school connections would be upgraded to 30Mbit/s or greater. In line with the agreed plan, approximately 600 of these upgrades 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 an improved service owing primarily to their geographical location and the availability of broadband connectivity. These schools are currently with the relevant broadband providers to investigate solutions and put in place the service, and this is the case for the school referred to by the Deputy. There are also a small number of schools who choose not to participate in the schools broadband scheme.

The Department continually reviews the availability and quality 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 Action and Environment to address this as a priority action. Work on the implementation of the Strategy is under way.