Eoghan Kenny (Cork North-Central, Labour)
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14. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of money that has been granted per school for ICT equipment for the school year 2025-26; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59397/25]

Eoghan Kenny (Cork North-Central, Labour)
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This question is about the amount of money that has been granted per school for ICT equipment for the school year 2025-26.

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The world is undergoing a digital and an AI revolution and it is essential that we equip students with the skills and competencies they need to succeed and thrive in a rapidly changing world. Most young people probably are miles ahead of us in that regard already. A key part of our plan is to support schools through investment in digital technologies, in training and teacher professional development and, of course, in curriculum reform.

The digital strategy for schools to 2027 and its associated implementation plan are underpinned by €200 million in funding. That is over the lifetime of the strategy, as committed under Ireland’s national development plan.

In total, and separate to that specific plan, €345 million has already been invested in schools across the country since the implementation of the first digital strategy for schools, which was commenced in 2015.

For this school year, €35 million was issued directly to schools through the grant scheme for ICT infrastructure. As part of providing clarity and certainty for schools, the minor works grant and the ICT grant will be paid annually in the December-January period, so there will be another payment either towards the end of the year or in early January for further ICT grants and this will be incorporated into the Department's grants payment calendar. It is really important schools know when they are getting the grant and I appreciate that over the past number of years it has not been the same figure and it has not happened every year, which has often caused some confusion.

In addition to capital investment, my Department will continue to support initiatives that advance digital learning in schools. We will continue to advance digital education policy and embed technology in teaching and learning. We invest €15 million annually in the schools broadband programme, which has been absolutely essential for our schools, thereby providing high-speed connectivity to all recognised schools. Through Webwise, which is funded by my Department under the EU Internet safety initiative, we are promoting online safety, digital citizenship and media literacy among school leaders, teachers, parents and students.

While working with Oide Technology in Education as well, we will continue to support teachers with professional learning, training and resources that build digital confidence and innovation. This investment is in addition to other important curricular reform which is under way. This includes the introduction of computer science as a leaving certificate subject, the introduction of coding as a short junior cycle programme and the implementation of computational thinking as part of the new primary school curriculum.

Eoghan Kenny (Cork North-Central, Labour)
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The predictability of when funding will be made available to schools is absolutely welcome, and I know this from my own experience in some schools. To clarify again, am I correct in saying the minor works and the ICT funding will be given in December or January?

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Yes.

Eoghan Kenny (Cork North-Central, Labour)
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That is extremely good. In regard to the €35 million given to schools in May, was that funding down on last year's provision or is it the case the €35 million that was given in May and the funding that will be given in January will be placed together as the whole funding for one academic year? Alternatively, has the ICT grant funding reduced since last year? If the Minister could clarify this I would appreciate it.

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As I mentioned, in some years more money was provided and one year none was. I am trying to make sure that every year, schools know they are getting that grant. Over the lifetime of the strategy, €200 million has been made available. Some €50 million of that funding was provided in April 2022; zero funding was provided in the 2022-23 school year; then there was a further €50 million in April 2024; and €35 million was provided this year. From May 2025, there will be a further €35 million provided later this year and the remainder is just over €30 million and will be provided next year. That will be the full €200 million over the lifetime of the strategy, appreciating there have been variations in when and how much money has been provided.

What I am committing to with the new national development plan, in which there was a further commitment for the ICT funding and strategy, is that it will be paid on an annual basis in December-January every year and that schools will have certainty around that. I appreciate there has been a variation in how the funding has been provided but it is important to acknowledge that the €200 million that was committed to will all be paid out. There is a commitment to make sure schools receive that. What I hope to see and what I am looking for the Department to do next year, is an assessment of what schools actually have. Having invested this money, not just from this strategy but from the previous one, it is to assess what schools have, where they need upgrades and whether schools need new equipment or whether we are getting to the stage where the equipment just needs to be upgraded and we are investing to make sure the technology is up to date and the schools have exactly what they need.

Eoghan Kenny (Cork North-Central, Labour)
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That clarifies the position of the predictability of when that funding will come through and the fact some of the €200 million fund previously in the strategy still remains and will be followed through on.

Does the Department outline guidelines to each school when it gives the ICT funding on what possible initiatives the school could use the funding for or is it totally up to the boards of management or principals of schools or people who are in post in relation to ICT equipment?

The previous Bill debated this evening was about back to school costs. In regard to the ICT equipment required by schools, is there a possibility that schools would be able to set aside a certain amount of funding they receive every year to buy pieces of ICT equipment that could be allocated to or rented out to students? The Minister might not be able to answer that question now but it could be clarified at some other time.

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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On the Deputy's first question, I mentioned briefly that we have Oide Technology in Education. This is a Department-funded support service that specifically promotes, but importantly supports, the embedding of digital technology, so it is looking at teaching and learning across post-primary and primary schools. It provides a range of free online courses that are available to school teachers and school leaders on certain things such as security for schools and AI for schools. It supports awareness of and confidence in emerging technologies, leading digital learning and developing a digital learning plan for schools. It gives teachers support in what they use the funding for and how they present that. There are courses on strengthening leadership and planning; and coding and computational thinking using Scratch, promoting creativity and problem-solving at a primary level. That is now very much embedded in the primary school curriculum. Schools are doing this, as I have seen during visits to schools over the past couple of months. There is a course in digital technology for modern foreign language teachers as well with that particular emphasis at primary school level, enhancing learning through technology. There are supports, advice and guidance there.

In terms of the Deputy's second question on how funding can or should be provided, it is really important to get an assessment and understanding of what schools have at the moment based on the funding provided to date and on whether we need to be more targeted or to do it in a different way as we look to the next strategy.