Troubled €850k school email system sparks political spat

FINE GAEL’S education spokesman Brian Hayes has challenged Batt O’Keeffe to a public debate after the Education Minister dismissed his combative approach as impulsive and lacking in credibility.

Yesterday, Mr Hayes questioned the Department of Education’s faith in a school email system that had cost €842,960 but was only available in 21 locations — at an individual cost of €361 per user.

The project was part of the troubled schools broadband scheme and is available to 697 staff and 1,580 pupils, as well as administrative workers.