Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In terms of the funding that has been made available to Carlow schools, from 2018 to 2023 schools in Carlow received in excess of €4.5 million under the minor works grant. The grant for the 2024 to 2025 school year, which is, as I said, due to issue later this month, will provide more than €400,000 in additional funding to Carlow schools. On the point of funding being issued to schools, I also recently announced the ICT grant of €50 million to all primary, special and post-primary schools for the 2023 to 2024 school year. In respect of that, schools in Carlow will receive in the region of €750,000 in ICT grants in the coming weeks.

I recognise that we all live in a challenging environment, and I know how important this funding stream is. This is notwithstanding the fact there has been an increase in capitation going into the schools. Equally, there is a unit in the Department, namely, the financial support services unit, FSSU, which deals with difficulties that might arise and with schools that might be having specific challenges. We invite schools to deal directly with the Department. In terms of special education, specific funds are being made available to schools for the development of their special classes and the ancillary requirements.

See this speech in context