ICT investment in Irish schools worth €252 million is now in jeopardy as the government manoeuvres to cut spending under the NDP.

ICT Ireland has expressed concern following the statement by Minister for Education Batt O'Keeffe that he was unwilling to make any firm commitment that the EUR252 million, allocated in the National Development Plan for the development of information and communications technology in schools, would be spent. Speaking on Wednesday in the Dail, Minister O'Keeffe said that a final decision remained outstanding. Speaking at the Internet and Experience in Education Conference in Tipperary, 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." Raleigh has called for for the Government to commit to spending in this area as a matter of urgency. Read more from ENN.ie

Update May 30, 2008:
“Teaching and learning through technology is essential for our economy’s long-term growth and competitiveness,” said Masterson of IBEC. Further pressure is being put on the current government by industry representatives and the press, I will also be contacting the Minister for Education, Batt O’Keeffe to ensure that the promised money is made available to schools as soon as possible. The response from IBEC can be read at SiliconRepublic.com

Update June 01, 2008:
The Sunday Business Post has an interesting article on the proposed cuts to the NDP, which include ICT for schools. They also did a recap of the facts surrounding the poor funding of technology in Irish schools to date. The INTO said that if the scheme does not go ahead it would be a ‘‘body blow to schools waiting nearly six years for government investment to upgrade clapped-out computers’’.

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