Broadband infrastructure is required to enable third level institution delivery of education courses online.
An Irish internet education expert warns that third level institutions in Ireland are under threat from virtual universities in the US.
Members of the Irish Learning Technology Association (ILTA) have been attending EdTech, the Education Technology Users conference, organised by the Institute of Technology (IT) Sligo.
Brian Mulligan is educational technology officer at IT Sligo. He believes that due to lack of broadband infrastructure, Irish students who want to engage in education through distance learning will be snapped up by overseas colleges who have the capability to produce
Internet versions of these courses.
Minister for Public Enterprise Mary O'Rourke confirmed that she is investigating the possibility of installing a fibre optic cable along the Atlantic seaboard which will benefit education and businesses, extending their presence
Nationally and worldwide.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 25 May 2011. The reporter is Eileen Magnier.
