No joy from new Minister on subject of ICT funding
Fine Gael spokesman Brian Hayes challenged Minister O’Keeffe to state unequivocally that the EUR252 million for ICT in schools was guaranteed.
However, Minister O'Keeffe gave no concrete assurances to Mr Hayes. Instead he said he was unable to state that something would happen until he had finalised consultations with his officials.
"I have provided for expenditure in the schools sector of approximately €20 million on the current side," the Minister said.
"I will continue to fund the National Centre for Technology in Education, which provides more than 10,000 continuing professional development training places to teachers each year."
He was discussing broadband services in schools with Minister for Communications Eamon Ryan, he said.
Brian Hayes pushed for further clarification: "Do I understand correctly from the Minister that the answer to my question is that the €252 million funding package is not guaranteed over the course of the next five to six years?
"If so, this news will come as a bombshell to schools throughout the country. The Minister's predecessor made 17 separate announcements pertaining to the €252 million allocation."
Minister O'Keeffe replied that he did not want Mr Hayes to misinterpret what he was saying.
"I am in discussions with my officials about the overall package of funding within the department. I am not saying that I do not intend to put funding in place for information and communications technology.
"It is in the national development plan. It is obvious that it is my aspiration to meet the demands of that part of the national development plan."
Pressed again by Mr Hayes, he repeated that he was discussing available funding with officials.
Afterwards, Mr Hayes accused the Minister of obfuscation, procrastination and disregard for the needs of schools.
"This does not bode well," he said.
"The Government announced a €252million package under the NDP for the next seven years but has done nothing to make this a reality.
"The Department has commissioned a report that, once published, should allow schools to draw down on this fund. However, when questioned today, Minister O’Keeffe refused to specify when the report would be published.
“The situation facing our students is dire:
- There is less than one computer for every 10 students;
- One fifth of school computers are not working due to their age or lack of technical support;
- Ireland is close to the bottom of an EU league table on broadband availability in schools – 19th out of 27 EU countries;
- Some schools, especially in rural areas, suggest that they’ve looked into securing broadband access to no avail – service providers tell them the broadband speed they have in their school is not acceptable to requirements;
- Expert group commissioned to look into the strategy suggests even with current level of investment promised, schools will lag behind other EU states."
ICT Ireland also expressed concern following Minister O'Keeffe's prevarication in the Dail. Speaking at the Internet Experience in Education Conference in Tipperary Institute last week, Director of ICT Ireland Kathryn Raleigh said:
"Technology in Irish schools has been grossly under-funded for years and this has left Irish students at a major disadvantage compared to many of their European counterparts."
Ms Raleigh called on the Government to commit to spending in this area as a matter of urgency. (Source: Irish Times and other)
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August 20th, 2008 at 10:49 am
Not only is it apparent that Irish schools are lacking in evoling with the technology society but it is the pupils who suffer. Their opportunities for approaching a career in technology an area Ireland appears to have many vacancies is minimum if they are not taught about computers in school. My main question is not only when will schools be fitted out with appropriate technology but when will Information Communication Technology ever be part of the Junior and Leaving Certificate as this I feel is a core subject all pupils should be taught in this day and age. This would not only overcome how Irish students are disadvantaged compared to many of their European counterparts but it would open up pupils to the power of technology and improve university admissions to technology/computing courses.