Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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241. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps that are being taken to get a broadband connection for a school (details supplied). [44421/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The policy of my Department is to offer the best quality connectivity to all schools in line with the technical solutions available in the market and within financial constraints. 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 is preparing to move to a new school building, and to maintain connectivity and existing broadband contracts, the Department's Schools Broadband Service Desk has requested the current provider of the service to the school to migrate the existing wireless service to the new school building in time for the opening. The service provider will be in contact with the school in due course. The provision of telephony and the related installation of phone lines, is the responsibility of the school. The school should contact their preferred telephone provider and they will take the school through the ordering process.

This school is included in the National Broadband Plan Intervention Area Plan for which implementation is now under way, and the provision of high speed connectivity to the almost 700 primary schools in that area is to be accelerated for delivery by the end of 2022. My Department is engaging with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications on the intervention area implementation. When the high speed infrastructure is in place for this school through the NBP, the service will be upgraded to the school through the Schools Broadband Programme.

The Schools Broadband Service Desk is the central point of contact providing schools with information, advice and technical support in relation to the Schools Broadband Programme. The school is advised to engage with the Broadband Service Desk, tel: 1800 334466, ahead of the move to their new building.