Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this issue. I am raising the issue of the cost many parents are faced with for digital devices like iPads, tablets and laptops when schools move to a one-to-one digital device policy. It is happening quite a lot and comes at very significant cost to families, many of which have multiple students at school. Devices can cost anything up to €800. At a time when many families were expecting to have the cost of school books taken off them the exact opposite is happening. I have a number of examples of where students entering fifth year are faced with a new policy that demands a device costing €800 for their schoolwork.

This question has been asked repeatedly, including by me, and a lot of the written responses point towards Government investment in ICT in schools generally. They point towards the role of the board of management in developing digital learning policies, whether these devices are introduced or not, how the ICT funding is used and the need for consultation before any change in policy is introduced. They also point to a circular issued in 2017 that does not deal with the issue at all and is about measures schools should adopt in relation to uniforms and other costs.

The real issue here is there are families who cannot afford this. They just cannot bear this cost. They can be part of a consultation. This is just the practicalities of it. They might not agree with the policy but they will have to go along with it or else their child will be left behind. We then have a scenario of children being left behind, excluded or isolated or families being pushed into financial hardship. The suggestion from the Government in the responses I have seen so far is that schools can use the ICT funding to develop a scheme to support families, but the funding is not there to do that. What happens in practical terms is schools look for full payment.

They point people towards services like Humm or the local credit union to try to facilitate them. Without a shadow of a doubt, because of these policy changes in individual schools, and I recognise schools have autonomy to a significant degree in relation to these decisions, families are being left in a position where there is no support net at all. They are left completely exposed.

I see nothing in the responses I have received thus far that recognises that fact. I am interested to hear the Minister of State's response today. I hope he indicates there will be some action on this issue.

Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. The Minister for Education and Youth, Deputy McEntee, recently announced €35 million in funding to support digital learning in schools. A total of €35 million in grant funding for information and communications technology has issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools. Through the ICT grant and the minor works grant schemes, schools are directly funded for their ICT infrastructure.

Schools have autonomy to determine which infrastructure to implement, including software and devices such as tablets, in accordance with their digital learning plans. The funding can also be used to provide loan schemes for devices, as needed. The ICT grant funding is being provided to schools to help them to continue to embed the use of digital technologies in their teaching, learning and assessment.

This is the third tranche of ICT funding under the digital strategy for schools to 2027. The funding issues as a lump sum per school, plus a per capita amount, with an enhanced per capita rate for students enrolled in DEIS and special schools and to pupils in mainstream special class primary settings. Using this model of funding, all schools are treated fairly and transparently and are allocated an amount per student. Schools, in conjunction with parents, are responsible for decisions on the use of digital technology, including tablet devices, laptops and learning platforms, and how best to manage their integration into classroom practice, reflective of their own context and requirements.

Under the Education Act, boards of management have responsibility for the day-to-day management of schools. Decisions regarding the use and deployment of digital technology is therefore a matter for the board of management of each school in the context of their digital learning planning. Schools are advised to consult with members of the school community, including parents, when planning for the introduction of digital technologies. This includes devices with cost and other implications being fully considered by the board of management before a decision is made.

The Oide technology in education division within the Department of Education and Youth provides a support service for teachers specialising in digital technology in teaching and learning. It offers advice and supports to schools on digital learning. Advice sheets are available on digital technology in education, including on the adoption of laptops and tablets in schools.

The digital strategy for schools to 2027, and its associated implementation plan, is underpinned by funding of €200 million over the course of the strategy, as committed to under the national development plan. The funding allocation model is provided for in the NDP and commits to funding issuing over the period of the plan, to be applied by the Department for the digital strategy duration, which is to 2027 for the current strategy. Including the most recent grant, a total of €135 million of the €200 million committed to in the NDP for the strategy has issued to schools through the ICT grant. While the NDP commitment did not guarantee a specific amount in each year, it is anticipated that issuing €35 million in 2025 will enable the balance of €65 million to issue to schools over the remaining years of the current strategy to 2027.

This funding demonstrates the Government's ongoing commitment to supporting and enabling schools to ensure the continued embedding of digital technologies in teaching, learning and assessment.

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Minister of State's response is the response we have been getting to the question over the past few months. I want to put a number of things on the record, which I would appreciate the Minister of State conveying to the Ministers for Education and Youth and Social Protection.

We have a funding crisis in education. We cannot take from ICT funding that is desperately needed to keep the lights on and deliver ICT in schools to provide a loan scheme for students. The money is not there.

We have a cost-of-living crisis. Families very much welcome hot school meals and the elimination of school book charges. However, doing that on the one hand while, on the other, asking parents to come up with €800 for a device is driving people into financial hardship.

I take on board that individual schools can make their own decisions on funding but there must be a recognition by the Department that there is a move towards digital learning, whether in terms of augmentative and alternative communication, AAC, devices for people with disabilities, digital learning plans being developed by schools or the additional assessment components in the new senior cycle redevelopment. Schools are moving in a particular direction, which is digital. That move is causing real financial hardship for a number of people. The system, between the Departments of Education and Youth and Social Protection, must recognise that. We need a fund to support parents. That is what Sinn Féin is calling for. We want a recognition of this and dedicated support to ensure people are not forced under water because of this additional cost. I ask the Minister of State to take that point on board and to convey it to the two Ministers.

Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Government recognises that back-to-school costs each September can place real financial pressure on families. The Department of Education and Youth is keenly aware of the challenges faced by educators and parents in regard to these costs. To help address this, schools are expected to follow guidance from the Department, which includes using school uniform items that are generic and affordable and regularly consulting with parents on ways to reduce costs. Schools should also provide a full list of required items with guidance on best-value options.

A number of measures are in place to support educators and parents as part of the Department's ongoing commitment to reduce financial pressure on families and ensure every student is supported to succeed. A circular letter issued to schools in 2017 with measures to be adopted to reduce the cost of school uniforms and other costs, including of ICT devices. The circular also instructed schools to consult with parents and their school community on ensuring costs are reasonable and how to avoid cost acting as a barrier. The circular specified that, wherever possible, generic rather than branded items should be specified, for example, uniforms, clothing, tablet devices and sports equipment. It provided that schools should also consult with parents regarding their views and suggestions on cost reduction initiatives. Schools should provide parents with a list of all required items and their likely cost at best-value stores. Where an exclusive supplier arrangement applies, it should be reviewed regularly and tendered in accordance with the procurement requirements.

To further assist schools, the Office of Government Procurement, HEAnet and the Department of Education and Youth have established a framework of providers of digital services, including tablets, PCs and laptops, with appropriate specifications, agreed pricing and levels of service, as well as providing framework management. Schools are encouraged to avail of these frameworks, which will enable them to comply with procurement requirements and achieve agreed transparent pricing.