Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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100. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a school (details supplied) can expect to be connected to broadband that will meet the school community's needs. [41055/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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Through the Schools Broadband Access Programme the Department provides for the supply of internet connectivity for recognised primary and post primary schools. All post-primary schools and some special schools are now included in the 100 Mbps programme.

Under the current programme the Department continually reviews the availability of services and upgrades schools where the opportunity arises, in line with contractual and budgetary requirements. The most recent drawdown from the Framework of Providers of Broadband Services saw some 1,100 primary schools awarded download speeds of 30 Mbps or greater (the baseline download speed required under the National Broadband Plan). Some 900 of those schools have now been connected with the balance to be in place by the end of 2017.

The policy of this Department is to offer the best quality connectivity to all schools in line with the technical solutions available in the market and financial constraints.  Broadband capacity can vary due to geographical location and local infrastructure, and thus impact on the service that can be provided.

The need to improve broadband connectivity to primary schools is recognised in the Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020. An interdepartmental working group has been established to determine how best to provide enhanced broadband connectivity to primary schools in collaboration with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment to the National Broadband Plan and the Intervention Strategy, and proposed industry provision.

In the case of the school referred, the Broadband Service Desk and the current provider, Imagine/Magnet, have reviewed the service provided, and they advise that the school is on the best available broadband solution currently available at present.