Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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95. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she recognises that the introduction of one-to-one digital policies in schools can put an impossible financial burden on some parents; the measures she is taking to support parents and students who are unable to afford digital devices in one-to-one digital schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40113/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Decisions regarding the use and deployment of digital technology in schools is a matter for the board of management of each school in the context of their digital learning planning. It is very much open to the schools to decide how they adopt and change. Schools are advised to consult with members of the school community, including parents, when planning any introduction of digital technologies. It is important that a school, if it is deciding to move to iPads or certain technologies, that it engages with parents first and make sure that whatever it is doing is affordable.

The Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 was published in 2022. It is underpinned by funding of €200 million over the course of the strategy to support its implementation, which was committed to under the national development plan.

The most recent tranche of funding of €35 million issued to all recognised primary, special schools and post-primary schools in May 2025. To date, €135 million of the €200 million has been paid out. This funding is directly to support schools, whether in buying laptops, ICT PCs or any other types of equipment.

The funding issues directly to schools, as they are best placed to determine the needs of their own students and have autonomy to do so. It can be used to fund ICT infrastructure, as required in the schools, but also can provide for loan schemes for devices for students as appropriate.

I recognise that the back to school costs on parents can place real financial pressure on families. We need to make sure that we are providing as much support as possible.

Schools are becoming more digital. They are becoming more technology focused. While there may be a slight contribution from parents, we need to make sure as far as possible that we are providing the funding. Since 2015, €325 million has been provided. Obviously, my objective is to make sure that the remainder of the committed €200 million is provided for in the next two years and that under a new NDP we have further ICT support being provided.

There is an opportunity as well, with the roll-out of the free books scheme, where there is money left over in schools. Where there is a changeover, books are coming back and they do not have to buy new books, schools can also use that fund for digital technologies as well. I accept we are at the early stages and that is not necessarily available to them, but we are trying to provide as many supports as possible.

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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I have heard the response repeatedly. There needs to be an acknowledgement by the Minister and within the Department that there are two things happening here. The first is a funding crisis in our schools overall. There is a massive shortfall. There is an expectation, because the Government is saying it will not bring in a cost-of-living package, that next year will be worse than this year. The second is a shift towards digital technology. It is not small money. In some cases, it is €800 over two years. There are parents who simply cannot afford that. The suggestion that the funding the Minister provides, which is wholly inadequate to cover the running costs of schools, can be used to provide a loan scheme for parents is simply detached from reality. We need a bespoke response for these parents.

The Minister has seen the Irish League of Credit Unions report yesterday in terms of the high cost of going back to school. In fact, the cost is increasing.

Notwithstanding the positive moves on back to school, there needs to be a bespoke response for the small number of parents who are completely exposed to these costs.

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I will give an example. For a 100-pupil primary school, €4,533 is allocated. For a 500-pupil school, the amount is €14,665. For a post-primary, there is a basic grant of €2,000 plus €30.40 per mainstream student. It is not the intention that schools will be buying iPads every year or that every student will need to use them at every stage of the school day. It is to make sure the school has enough technology in order that every child has access to them at different stages. The €325 million that is being provided will continue to be added on. We will get to the point where schools have the technology they need, including whiteboards and TVs, after which it is funding for replacements that is being provided. I want to ensure that schools have clarity on when they will get the grant. A sum of €35 million was announced this year. For next year, I want schools to know when they will be getting it. They need to know they will get it at the same time the following year in order that they can plan ahead. This is about providing resources so that schools will have them. They do not need to be replaced or bought new every year. That is what we are working towards.

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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The Minister and I share a constituency. She must be aware of what is happening and she must have been contacted. Earlier, she referenced a school that is moving to digital. I have been contacted by parents with children in that school and by parents across the State who have been part of a consultation but whose opinion is not reflected in the policy of the school. They simply cannot afford new digital devices and they are really exposed. Notwithstanding that they have been pointed towards the credit unions or other financial supports, they simply cannot afford this additional cost. It is simply not true to say that the school should provide a loan for them or that the funding the Minister is providing will provide a solution. It is not providing a solution for these parents. There needs to be a recognition of that and dedicated support for them.

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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We have dedicated support and funding for schools, with a commitment for €200 million over the lifetime of the strategy. Through the NDP and the next strategy, we will commit even more funding. Some €325 million has been invested specifically to provide technology in our schools, recognising that is how things are going and that technology is a really positive part of how children learn. I am absolutely committed to ensuring that we continue to support our schools and that they have the technology and equipment they need. We will reach the point where schools will no longer have to replace the technology they have, where they will have all the equipment they need and where this top-up funding will essentially make sure that every new student is able to avail of what is available.