Fast internet for schools in Leinster

All second-level schools in Dublin, Meath and Kildare will get high-speed broadband this year, it has been announced.

Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte and Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn made the announcement yesterday at an event at Presentation Secondary School, Warrenmount, Dublin, which was linked to the scheme under the first phase of the national roll-out programme.

In the second phase , some 216 secondary schools will receive the 100mbps connection by September. This follows the installation of fast internet in 202 schools in 14 counties last year.

A remaining 250 secondary schools will be connected by 2014.

A capital cost for the project of €11 million is being funded by the Department of Communications, which is providing a further €10 million up to 2015. The Department of Education and Skills will fund the remaining costs, estimated at €20 million up to 2015.