Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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397. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 96 of 1 March 2023, what, if any, further funding is available to assist schools in meeting the cost of internal network connectivity where the cost cannot be covered by digital grants or by the school's Board of Management. [14914/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm that the school referred to by the Deputy has received ring-fenced ICT grant funding through the Digital Strategy funding, and as part of the furniture and equipment grant funding assigned to new schools. The funding provided is based on enrolment in the school and the level of accommodation provided for this recently opened school (2020) which currently has an enrolment of 35 pupils. Schools can also use their minor works funding, and general capitation, to cover key ICT infrastructure.

Decisions regarding the use and deployment of digital technology including Wi-Fi etc. 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.

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, ICT equipment, software and overall digital technology infrastructure development in the school. To assist schools in this matter, the Office of Government Procurement, have put in place frameworks that meet technical and procurement requirements for schools for the provision of such equipment, which include warranty supports of up to five years

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 subject to the available exchequer funding, and was included in the National Development Plan 2021-2030. The first tranche of the successor Digital Strategy ICT grant funding issued to schools in December 2021. 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.

Subject to the availability of exchequer funding and the wider capital funding needs of the Department, the remaining amount of some €150m will issue over the lifetime of the Digital Strategy for Schools 2027. This funding can be used by the school for the provision of internal network equipment and other ICT infrastructure.