Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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248. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the timeline for the roll-out of accessibility statements in schools for school websites to be achieved; and the work that her Department is conducting on this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50784/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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My department recently published the Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027, with the implementation plan in development which will contain actions including those required to support schools in their implementation of digital technologies. This will be published shortly.

Under S.I. No. 358/2020 - European Union (Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Applications of Public Sector Bodies) Regulations 2020 (including W3C WCAG 2.1 Standards, all public sector bodies in Ireland including schools are required to make their websites and mobile applications (apps) accessible and have a clear Accessibility Statement on their website. The National Disabilities Authority has responsibility for providing guidance and overseeing compliance on this regulation.

My Department and the PDST-tie will work with the National Disability Authority as required to assist in providing appropriate guidance for schools regarding the implementation of and compliance with this regulation.

Decisions regarding the deployment of and the use of digital technologies are a matter for the management of schools as they are best placed to determine this according to their own situation and requirements.

Under the provisions of the Education Act, 1998 the board of management of a school is responsible for the direct governance of a school. Certain school policies that schools must have in place and published on the schools website include the schools Admission Policy, Child Safeguarding Statement, Code of Behaviour, Anti-Bullying Policy, and Health and Safety Statement. The National Disability Authority has responsibility for providing guidance and overseeing compliance with these regulations and information is available on the NDA website.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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249. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her Department's plans, if any, to review its policy in relation to the use and provision of online electronic devices, such as notebooks, used in schools with regard to ensuring that all students have access to such, that costs are not disproportionately placed on parents where such devices are compulsory in schools, to ensure standard quality and to achieve economies of scale by centrally procuring them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50785/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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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. Schools are advised to consult with members of the school community including parents when planning for the introduction of digital technologies including devices with cost and other implications been fully considered by the Boards of Managements before a decision is made.

Schools, in conjunction with parents, are responsible for decisions on the use of digital technology, including tablet devices, laptops, and learning platforms, and how best to manage their integration into classroom practice reflective of their own context and requirements.

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.

I am keenly aware of the challenges faced by educators and parents in relation to costs of digital technology, including tablets, and my Department continues to work to help support schools and families meet these costs. In 2017 a circular letter issued to schools with measures to be adopted to reduce the cost of school uniforms and other costs including such ICT devices: assets.gov.ie/12695/2045e7ccec684f72b55d93930e45372c.pdf.

This circular also instructed schools to consult with parents and their school community on the issue of ensuring costs are reasonable for parents, and how to avoid costs acting as a barrier. This circular specified that wherever possible, generic rather than branded items should be specified (e.g. uniform, clothing, IT tablets, sports equipment etc.).

The Digital Strategy for Schools 2027, which builds on the progress made under the previous Digital Strategy, will be underpinned by an investment of some €200m included in the National Development Plan 2021-2030 providing continuity of funding following the €210m that issued to schools to support the previous strategy. The first tranche of the successor Digital Strategy ICT grant funding issued to schools in December 2021. This funding issued directly to schools as schools are best placed to identify the requirements of their own student cohort and to meet those requirements in the most appropriate way. This can include the purchase of ICT devices such as tablets, hybrid devices, or laptops.

In addition, the Department as part of Ireland’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) under Next Generation EU funding facility, issued a once-off grant of €50 million in December 2021 to recognised primary and post-primary schools in the free education scheme in order to support those learners at risk of educational disadvantage through the digital divide,

Details of the Grant Scheme for EU NRRP Funding to schools to address the digital divide, and learners at risk of educational disadvantage which can be found at: www.gov.ie/en/circular/b4fea-grant-scheme-for-eu-nrrp-funding-to-schools-to-address-the-digital-divide-and-learners-at-risk-of-educational-disadvantage/.

My Department has established a Single Provider Framework for the purchase of laptops and desktop PCs, to enable schools to easily access such infrastructure with transparent costing. Schools can also access procurement mechanisms for Apple devices established by HEAnet Ireland's National Education and Research Network. The Schools Procurement Unit (SPU) established by my Department is the central support resource for providing guidance to all primary and post-primary schools (except ETB schools) on any procurement-related issue. The SPU delivers free advice and practical support to schools to help them achieve improvements in their procurement processes, practices and outcomes.