Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

A figure of €19 million was mentioned. With the cuts across all Departments and with more pressure on parents to pay for the running of schools, I do not want to see schools in disadvantaged areas put at a disadvantage when it comes to investing in technology. What steps are being taken by the Department to ensure there is equality across all schools?

It was stated the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment is preparing short courses. If schools do not have the technology resources, they will not be able to run those courses. The OECD figures are interesting. Is there a breakdown on a State-wide basis on the varying demographics? Is there a higher level of digital learning and understanding among particular areas? What about the demand it will make on teachers having to upskill? How will the cuts to grants for courses and allowances affect teachers being incentivised to upskill continually?