Eoin Ó Broin
Question:426. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education when a school (details supplied) will be provided with an Internet connection. [51334/22]
View answerTuesday, 18 October 2022
Questions (426)
Written answers
The delivery of high quality internet connectivity for all schools is a key objective of my department. It is accepted that good connectivity is essential to ensure that schools are facilitated to progress the embedding of digital technologies in teaching and learning and for the implementation of new and revised curriculum.
My department operates the Schools Broadband Programme at an annual cost of some €13m, providing broadband connectivity to schools through a range of technologies at the best available connectivity based on local infrastructure. The department is now implementing a project to provide high speed broadband connectivity through the Schools Broadband Programme for primary schools outside of the National Broadband Plan Intervention Area, and where commercial provision is neither available nor planned. That project is supported by funding under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) and is managed by HEAnet on behalf of my department. My department is committed to providing all primary schools with high speed broadband in 2023 through the National Broadband Plan, commercial provision, and the NRRP project.
The school referred to by the Deputy was included in a recent tender to put in place a new contract for broadband services and was awarded to a provider of high speed broadband. That provider has advised that work is continuing on the installation of the service to the school, with the pre-installation works now completed. The provider will shortly be in contact with the school directly to organise the final connection within the school.
As you are aware the Department is obliged to adhere to procurement regulations and must engage with the selected providers on the DES Framework of Providers of Broadband Services through a tender process to award services. This is the basis on which all state-funding is utilised to ensure transparency and equal treatment for all schools and providers, and adherence to regulatory requirements.