MINISTER FOR Education Batt O'Keeffe said he could not make any commitments on funding until he had finalised consultations with his officials.
Fine Gael spokesman Brian Hayes had challenged him to unequivocally say that the €252 million for development of information and communications technology in schools was absolutely guaranteed.
Mr O'Keeffe said he was not in a position to say that something would happen. "I have provided for expenditure in the schools sector of approximately €20 million on the current side.
"I will continue to fund the National Centre for Technology in Education, which provides more than 10,000 continuing professional development training places to teachers each year."
He said he was discussing broadband services in schools with Minister for Communications Eamon Ryan.
Mr Hayes said: "Do I understand correctly from the Minister that the answer to my question is that the €252 million funding package is not guaranteed over the course of the next five to six years? If so, this news will come as a bombshell to schools throughout the country. The Minister's predecessor made 17 separate announcements pertaining to the €252 million allocation."
Mr O'Keeffe replied that he did not want Mr Hayes to misinterpret what he was saying.
"I am in discussions with my officials about the overall package of funding within the department. I am not saying that I do not intend to put funding in place for information and communications technology.
"It is in the national development plan. It is obvious that it is my aspiration to meet the demands of that part of the national development plan." Pressed further by Mr Hayes, he said he was discussing with officials on available funding.
