Report finds 98% of schools have broadband

THEY may not be able to afford running water or sufficient classrooms but at least Irish schools can keep up to date with developments on their plight — thanks to an initiative to equip them with cheap and speedy internet access.

According to a progress report released yesterday, 98% of all primary and secondary schools around the country have broadband, which provides swift access and download times and is always on so it does not incur repeated connection charges.

The Schools Broadband Access Programme was begun in 2004 as a joint initiative between the Government and the Telecommunications and Internet Federation, which represents businesses in the field and donated €15 million of the €18m needed to fund the programme.