Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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584. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will address a matter raised in correspondence in relation to internet access for a school (details supplied). [21842/21]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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Under the School Broadband Programme the Department continually reviews the availability of services and upgrades schools where the opportunity arises, in line with contractual and budgetary requirements.  Currently investment of some €13m is allocated annually for the provision of internet connectivity to schools. Broadband capacity can vary across geographical locations and is dependent on local infrastructure which can impact on the service that can be provided in individual schools.

The school referred to by the Deputy is currently on the best available service of 25mb fibre broadband connection, which is a dedicated service to the school.  I understand that the school had been liaising with the Schools Broadband Service Desk and I would encourage the school to re-engage with the team there in the first instance, in order to rule out any issues with the internal infrastructure of the school, that may be impacting their service, be it on a wireless or wired network. The school are advised to contact the Schools Broadband Service Desk on 1800 334466.

The school was included in a recent tender in line with contractual requirements, to renew the broadband service to the school, with final tender responses due shortly. Following the evaluation process of this tender, the school will be contacted in due course to arrange the new service, and it is hoped this may deliver higher speed connectivity.