Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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329. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason schools will not be receiving the ICT grant payments in June as expected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29668/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Digital Strategy for Schools 2015 to 2020 overall investment of €210m issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools in annual grant funding. This funding was to support schools to invest in appropriate digital infrastructure to embed the use of digital technology in teaching, learning and assessment.

The new Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 was published last year and is underpinned by an investment of €200m to support schools over the period committed to under Ireland’s National Development Plan (NDP). The first tranche of €50m issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools in late 2021.

It is hoped to issue the next tranche of funding in the 2023-2024 school year. As with all such funding, the issuing of the grant is subject to the availability of Exchequer funding and the wider capital needs of the Department.

It is anticipated that the funding committed to under the NDP will be available to support the implementation of the Digital Strategy to Schools in future years.

As with funding under the previous strategy, the funding under the Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 issues directly to schools as they are best placed to identify the requirements of their own student cohort and to meet those requirements in the most appropriate way in accordance with their digital learning plan.

Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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330. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the measures being taken to address the need for an increase in the capitation grants for schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29669/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The two main grants paid by my Department to recognised schools are the Capitation grant to cater for day to day running costs such as heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance, general up-keep, etc. and the Ancillary Services grants to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff.

The following links are the most recent circulars published on my Department's website which outline the rates in relation to capitation related grants.

Primary Circulars

www.gov.ie/en/circulars/?q=&sort_by=published_date&organisation=department-of-education&year=&circular_id=0017%2F2021

www.gov.ie/en/circulars/?q=&sort_by=published_date&organisation=department-of-education&year=&circular_id=0038%2F2020

Post Primary Circulars

www.gov.ie/en/circulars/?q=&sort_by=published_date&organisation=department-of-education&year=&circular_id=0082%2F2020

www.gov.ie/en/circulars/?q=&sort_by=published_date&organisation=department-of-education&year=&circular_id=0052%2F2020

I understand the need for improved capitation funding and I am pleased that my Department has been able to provide for increases in capitation funding for primary and post primary schools in recent years.

All schools have received the benefit of the capitation increases awarded to date. It is my intention to seek funding for further capitation increases in future budgets.