Tom Neville (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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189. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the provision of laptops to schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29503/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020 Enhancing Teaching Learning and Assessment was published in October 2015. The Strategy set out a plan to embed ICT in teaching, learning and assessment. A detailed Action Plan for 2017 was recently launched, based on the objectives outlined in the Digital Strategy. Timelines and lead responsibility have been assigned, and progress will be measured against the plan and an end of year report will be produced.  The Action Plan can be found at: .

The Strategy recognises that schools require public investment in their ICT infrastructure.  €30 million in ICT grants has been issued to schools under the Strategy so far this year, and a further €180 million will issue to invest in ICT facilities in schools over the next four years.  Circular 0001/2017 Grant Scheme for ICT Infrastructure 2016 – 2017 School Year contains further details.  No application process applied for this funding.

It is a matter for a school’s Board of Management and Principal to decide how the grant can be best used for their school, in line with the schools eLearning Plan.  All purchases must be in compliance with Public Procurement Procedures.  Existing ICT purchasing Frameworks are in place operated by the Office of Government procurement for Desktop PCs/Notebooks/ etc, with appropriately defined technical specifications. These Frameworks should be engaged with and taken advantage of as they simplify the process of purchasing ICT equipment for schools.

However, if having reviewed the market and considered detailed technical specifications, warranties and associated supports, it is clear that better value for money can be achieved from non-Framework vendors, schools should seek concurrent quotes from both Framework and non-Framework vendors. Care should be taken to ensure that identical technical specification is presented to all vendors at the time of request for written quotations. Further information on current ICT Frameworks operated by the OGP is available at http://www.pdsttechnologyineducation.ie/en/Technology/Purchasing-Frameworks/, , and through the School Procurement Unit at .  Further information on eLearning planning can be found at .