Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)

The Smart Schools = Smart Economy report was published in a blaze of glory on 16 November 2009. Nobody can disagree with the need for this initiative, given the ICT system in our schools is of Third World standard and is nowhere near what is needed to support a knowledge-based economy. The strategy launched in November has been a long time coming but the fact that the Minister is finally paying attention to the ICT deficit in our schools is welcome.

A number of matters have been brought to my attention regarding the contractual arrangements surrounding this plan and I would like the Minister to clarify a number of issues. Given the current economic position, funding for all sectors within the education sector must be spent wisely. Many schools are frustrated because they say they were not consulted on what they needed in terms of ICT before the framework was drawn up by the Department. I would like the Minister to clarify whether any of the schools benefiting from this money were consulted before he announced the ICT grant for a teaching lap top and digital projector. The most recent comprehensive information I have available regarding ICT provision in our schools goes back to 2005. Has a review of ICT in schools been carried out since then or was the Minister using the provision of a digital projector and laptop as an initiative he chose to announce last November?

Value for money is another important issue. Added to the frustration schools are experiencing about a lack of consultation is the apparent lack of flexibility that they have in spending the ICT grant they have drawn down. Many schools have reported that they do not need a digital projector or teaching laptop and would gladly use the money for other areas of ICT provision. Can the Minister assure schools that they have the flexibility to buy the ICT equipment they need assuming the money is spent in a full year and it meets their individual needs?

I would also like clarity on the resources being allocated to the National Centre for Technology in Education, NCTE, to oversee the implementation of this project. A sum of €150 million is significant and it must be spent wisely. Will the Minister outline whether the NCTE is properly resourced to do so? How many people are working on the implementation of the framework?

Another issue of concern that has come to my attention is the fact that small Irish ICT companies, some of whom had arrangements with schools going back years, have now effectively been cut out of the market due to the introduction of this strategy. The companies involved in supplying schools with the infrastructure promised in the strategy were involved in compiling the report and they are represented on the advisory group established by the Minister. Can the Minister of State outline whether a contractual agreement to supply schools with infrastructure was drawn up with specific companies prior to the introduction of this strategy? Furthermore, is he concerned that small Irish ICT companies may not be able to pitch for business on a level playing field under the terms of this strategy and are in danger of going out of business?

The Minister said in his statement of 16 November 2009 that this €150 million investment would go towards ensuring that, within three years, each classroom in Ireland would have a teaching laptop and digital projector. I would like the Minister to clarify a number of issues. First, how will the remaining money be spent? Will secondary schools be able to obtain funds? Second, how much does it cost to equip each classroom? It is estimated to be €1,600 on average. Will this meet the needs of every classroom? Third, how much has been drawn down to date?

The most worrying aspect of this strategy is that the Minister is spending money that should have been spent over the past number of years. He has not checked what schools need. He has not conducted a vigorous value for money audit in respect of this investment and there is no accountability for this expenditure on a school by school basis. Serious issues have been raised by this strategy and the Minister needs to clarify this matters in his reply.

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