Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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195. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the allocation being invested in information technology infrastructure. [29449/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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In response to the Deputy’s question, in 2018, the funding allocated to Information Technology Infrastructure is outlined as follows.

Schools ICT Infrastructure Funding:

ICT grant to all Recognised Primary and Post Primary Schools for 2018 - €30 Million.

Schools Broadband programme for Primary and Post Primary schools 2018 - €15,715,139.

It is also worth noting that all new school buildings and school extension projects (where additional classroom accommodation is being delivered) receive an ICT Infrastructure grant per classroom.  The value of the grant at primary level for existing schools, including special schools, is €5,000 per classroom.  The value of the grant for new primary schools is €6,500 per classroom.  At post-primary level grant values vary in accordance with room usages. This particular grant is issued by the Department’s Planning and Building Unit as part of individual building projects.

Department of Education and Skills Internal IT Unit:

This funding is used to build and maintain ICT Systems and services for the Department’s approximately 1,400 staff and its eGovernment systems.

The allocation in 2018 was:

Capital - €1,800,000

Current - €3,625,000.