Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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309. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when primary and post-primary schools will receive their ICT grants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24718/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 was published in April 2022 and builds on the achievements of the previous Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020. It aims to further support the school system so that all students across our schools have the opportunity to gain the knowledge and the skills they need to navigate an ever-evolving digital world successfully. The strategy was developed following an extensive consultation process with all relevant stakeholders including students, parents/guardians, teachers and industry and sets out the various supports and resources available to schools in this important area.

As with funding under the previous strategy, the funding under the Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 issued directly to schools as they are best placed to identify the requirements of their own student cohort and to meet those requirements in the most appropriate way in accordance with their digital learning plan. Communication will issue to schools shortly in respect of ICT grants.

Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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310. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when funding can be provided for a project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24728/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to confirm that my Department received an application for capital funding for a new sports hall from the school referred to by the Deputy.

The main focus of resources over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics at primary and post-primary level and for Special Education needs provision. The immediate priority for the Department is to provide new and replacement school places each year, to ensure that every child has a school place.

The provision of GP rooms and PE Halls, at primary and post primary level respectively, and outdoor hard play areas, form part of the accommodation brief for all new school buildings. This is also the case where a major building or refurbishment project is being delivered for an existing school.

Under Project Ireland 2040 the education sector will receive a total of approximately €4.4 billion capital investment over the period 2021-2025. There will be a rolling 5 year funding envelope which will be updated annually for the period 2026 to 2030 within the Government’s overall NDP funding envelope of €136 billion in exchequer capital (€165 billion total capital including non-Exchequer) that will facilitate building a modern and sustainable school infrastructure.

This significant investment allows us to move forward with certainty on our ambitious plans and deliver high quality building projects, with a real focus on sustainability, for school communities across Ireland. The strengthened focus on refurbishment of existing school stock will have different strands and will include a PE build and modernisation programme which will enable students in post-primary schools to have access to appropriate facilities to support PE provision, particularly also in the context of the roll-out of PE as a leaving-certificate subject.

The application has been assessed and a decision has issued to the school authority directly.