Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 March 2018
215. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount paid by a company (details supplied) to broadband service providers, by provider for services in 2017; the amount paid by service type by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12095/18]
View answerThe company referred to by the Deputy provides a range of services to schools on behalf of the Department in respect of the Schools Broadband Access Programme. This includes management of the 100Mbp/s broadband programme for post-primary schools, which is wholly managed by the company referred to.
Contracts entered into by the company are procured in accordance with procurement regulations, and are subject to the usual commercial considerations.
The broadband programme is funded by the Department, and in 2017 funding amounted to €9.4m in total.
Information regarding the breakdown of payments made by the company, type and county is not held by the Department and in any event, its disclosure may be commercially sensitive.
