The Republic's relationship with the computer looks set to deepen with plans to give thousands of students the chance to take computer studies as a subject at Leaving Cert level.
The Government's education advisory group is sponsoring the idea and has commissioned a study into how the subject can be introduced.
This State is already the second-largest producer of computer graduates in the Western world, but lags behind other EU states in not having a computer studies subject in schools.
The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) - responsible for subject and curriculum development in schools - has suggested a computer studies course is needed so students can stay ahead of their international counterparts.
The NCCA reports to the Department of Education.
A recent document prepared by the NCCA and released to The Irish Times under the Freedom of Information Act says: "In today's society the value of students leaving school with a skill base in computing cannot be overestimated".
On foot of this report the NCCA has commissioned the University of Limerick to look at the impact of introducing the subject in schools.
This will examine the infrastructure needed to offer the subject and what effect it might have on science subjects - already in sharp decline at second level.
The NCCA report points out that while schools may not be able to provide every student with a PC for the purposes of the course, "it is worthwhile noting that a large percentage of pupils have access to PCs in their home.
"As a result, much of the practical assignment that students may need to carry out in fulfilment of the requirements of the course could be done in their home".
While this is likely to meet opposition, the NCCA document points out "we have to recognise the trends that are becoming evident worldwide" and that much teaching now takes place outside the "traditional classroom".
However, it says that while students from higher socio-economic backgrounds will have such technology in their homes, poorer students may not.
The document rules out calling the subject computing or giving it some title that includes the word science.
"Students, particularly girls, might perceive the subject to be unattractive for the same reasons that they tend not to choose the other sciences".