Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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45. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to introduce a laptop rental scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29737/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020, sets out a plan to embed the use of digital technology in teaching, learning and assessment, and affirms that the use of digital technology can enhance the teaching and learning experience. The Strategy recognises that schools require investment in their ICT infrastructure. Funding of €210m has been committed to support the implementation of this strategy with €110m issued over the last three years and a further €50m has recently been issued in respect of the 2019-2020 school year. The remaining €50m under this provision will issue to schools during the current school year (2020-2021).

In the context of the current public health crisis the funding can be focussed on assisting schools to address ICT needs including devices, software and infrastructural solutions to support the provision of remote learning, include the purchase of digital devices that can be shared with students who do not have access to devices.

Schools have been advised of direct drawdown mechanisms for the purchase of laptops. HEAnet operates an aggregated order process on its Single Provider Framework with Dell, while Datapac also do so through a Single Provider Framework with HP. Both of these Frameworks have been established from the OGP Framework of Providers of Laptops. This was intended to enable laptop orders from schools to be prioritised, during the current public health crisis. Schools are responsible for the procurement of any such equipment in accordance with relevant procurement requirements and according to their own needs.

Schools are best placed to determine the most appropriate solution to adopt in terms of supporting the learning needs of their students based on their own context and circumstances.

The Professional Development Service for Teachers Technology in Education (PDST-TIE) 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 information on their website outlines what these devices can offer schools to support teaching, learning and assessment, and facilitate students' active learning and collaboration. Specific items for consideration including software and hardware requirements, purchasing regulations, are addressed in the support information.