The Government is expected to announce later today plans for the provision of broadband Internet to every school in the State.
In a deal that is understood to be costing approximately €18 million, primary and secondary schools throughout the State are expected to have full broadband access by September 2005.
The cost of the initiative, known as the Schools Broadband Action Programme, will primarily be met by industry, with the Exchequer contributing €3 million to the total budget.
However, these figures relate only to the cost of putting in place the broadband connection, and do not include the cost of any new computers for schools.
The extension of broadband, which will allow the delivery of high-speed Internet services to schools, is expected to have a significant impact on the way in which teachers conduct their classes in the future.
It is hoped that it will allow increased co-operation between schools, both within Ireland, and elsewhere.
However, according to a confidential report compiled for the Government on the viability of extending broadband to every school in the country, some obstacles do remain.
For example, due to their location, a significant number of schools around the country are not near a well-equipped exchange, which would be necessary for broadband to be introduced.
One way of getting around this, however, would be through the introduction of wireless and/or satellite technology.
Indeed, it is understood that some of the schools who find themselves in this situation already have a satellite connection in place.
Another consideration is whether broadband should be installed in every classroom.
Earlier this month, an OECD survey of 14 countries revealed that Ireland has one of the lowest levels of computer use in upper second-level education.
In order for broadband to be fully introduced, it may be necessary for a dedicated system of local support contractors to be put in place in order to ensure computers can be serviced regularly.