A project which will provide free computers and software to schools nationwide will commence today. The Tesco Computers for Schools programme will operate on a voucher redemption basis in any Tesco Ireland, Quinnsworth, Crazy Prices or Bloomfields supermarket.

Shoppers will receive one voucher per £10 purchase which they can pass on on to schools of their choice to be exchanged for desktop computers, CD ROMS, printers, powerbooks and educational software. The scheme will run until mid-April and unused vouchers can be carried over into next year's programme. The Computer in Schools programme is an extension of a similar initiative operated by Tesco in the United Kingdom. Some 30,000 computers have been distributed to schools there over the past seven years.

Apple Computer has been involved in the programme there, through a company it established with Acorn Xemplar which specialises in marketing and providing Apple technology solutions to schools. One of the more useful products featuring in the programme will be the Apple E-Mate, a portable PC for under10s which has the added advantage of being practically unbreakable. With basic computing power, it is Internet compatible and would normally cost around £599. It is likely about 1,000 desktop computers will be distributed as part of a contract that will be worth £1 million to Apple Ireland.