Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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At the outset I would note that while remote teaching and learning was a necessity during the pandemic, the teaching model in Ireland is for in-person teaching and learning delivered in school settings, notwithstanding that, to facilitate effective approaches to supporting learning in a remote environment, schools are advised to develop and adopt a model for learning that will support continuity of education regardless of school closure or inability of a class group or pupil/student to attend school.

In November 2020, circular (No. 0074/2020) issued to all schools advising them of the requirement to put in place appropriate contingency measures, to include a Communication and Learning Platform, to ensure that there would be continuity of teaching and learning in the event of a full or partial school closure. While those circumstances are no longer envisaged, such platforms remain relevant to assist in the meaningful, mediated usage of digital technology in teaching and learning, and to facilitate school administration and communication.

Extensive support and advice for teachers and schools on the use of digital technologies in teaching and learning, including remote learning, is made available through my Department’s support service, Oide (formally the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST)) and its Technology in Education team at Online Learning - Oide Technology in Education.

This resource includes information on popular communication and learning platforms, digital tools and resources, video conferencing, webinars to support and inspire teachers to identify good practice and a dedicated online course for teachers for remote learning. The Department’s Education website www.scoilnet.iealso contains a wealth of curriculum tagged resources that can be used by teachers, students and parents to support the continuity of learning in the remote environment.

In addition the Gaeltacht e-Hub Project was established to provide Gaeltacht post-primary students with the opportunity to access a greater range of Senior Cycle subjects via blended learning, through the medium of Irish. In the 2023-24 school year, 30 students in ten post-primary schools located in the Gaeltacht (including three island schools) are studying Leaving Certificate Physics and/or Chemistry through the e-Hub. Nine students completed the Leaving Certificate Physics course though the e-Hub in 2023.

The NCCA recently published research in this area which is available at ncca.ie/en/senior-cycle/senior-cycle-redevelopment/the-potential-of-online-learning-environments/ and may be of interest.

It is important to note that digital technology is a tool to be employed by teachers to deliver the curriculum and that it is not replacing the teacher in the teaching process. Regular engagement with pupils and students, appropriate and engaging learning opportunities, assessment and constructive feedback is and will continue to be an important elements for the delivery of education.

The first tranche of the successor Digital Strategy ICT grant funding issued to schools in December 2021, with further funding committed to under the NDP to issue over the coming years to support the implementation of the Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027. 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.

Such funding issues 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. This can include the purchase of ICT devices such as tablets, hybrid devices, or laptops, software and learning platforms.