Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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94. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the budget for technology technical support for primary and secondary schools over the past five years. [6961/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, an investment programme of €210m has been delivered to schools under the Digital Strategy for Schools 2015 –2020.

Schools are supported to develop their Digital Learning Plan, using the Digital Learning Framework, which enables schools to embed the use of digital technology in teaching and learning and assessment. Extensive supports, resources and advice for teachers and schools on the embedding of digital technologies including advise on selection of individual devices and technical support are available through the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) and its Technology in Education (PDST TiE) team at www.pdsttechnologyineducation.ie/en/Technology/.

Direct funding is provided to schools as they are best placed to determine the preferred approach for planning and embedding the use of digital technology in their school in accordance with their own particular context and requirements. The grant funding allocation can be used to provide devices for use by students and teachers, for learning platforms, software and overall digital technology infrastructure development in the school. To assist schools in this matter, the Department together with the Office of Government Procurement, have put in place single provider frameworks that meet technical and procurement requirements for schools for the provision of such devices, which include warranty supports of up to five years.

Schools have autonomy in the expenditure of their ICT grant and while there is no specific ring-fenced allocation for the provision of technical support, schools can use their ICT funding for this purpose. Schools are also free to use their capitation allocation for the purpose of maintenance and upkeep of equipment including digital equipment. When purchasing equipment schools can also include maintenance and support from the provider as part of that purchase.

The Schools Broadband programme provides internet connectivity and associated services including filtering to all recognised primary and post-primary schools, with at least 98% of schools availing this service. This programme is funded by the Department at an annual cost of some €13m, with a dedicated Schools Broadband Service Desk for schools managed for the Department by the PDST TiE.

A new Digital Strategy will be published shortly. This will build on the progress made under the previous strategy and continue to build capacity in schools to support teachers and learners to avail of the opportunities that the use of digital technologies in education can provide.

The aim of the Digital Strategy for Schools is to ensure that our young people develop the skills they need to navigate effectively and safely in a digital world and transition successfully to further and higher education and to the world of work.