Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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258. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will respond to matters raised in correspondence regarding a preschool (details supplied) in Dublin 11; when the preschool in question can expect a resolution to this funding issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7453/24]

Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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325. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on the concerns regarding the current funding crisis that is threatening a school for autistic children (details supplied). [8115/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 258, 267 and 325 together.

The purpose of the Home Tuition Grant Scheme is to provide funding towards the provision of a compensatory educational service for children who, for a number of specific reasons, are unable to attend school. The terms of this scheme are set out in circular 24/2023 which is available on the Government of Ireland website gov - Home Tuition Grant Scheme 2023/2024 Special Education Component (www.gov.ie) www.gov.ie/en/circular/67f37-home-tuition-grant-scheme-20232024-special-education-component/.

Payments to group providers of home tuition, such as the facility concerned, are made directly to the provider on a monthly basis in arrears in accordance with my Department’s policy in this regard. Claim forms are to be submitted to my Department at the end of the month in which tuition has been provided and every effort is made to process these claims as soon as possible after the claim form is received from the facility. However, delays may be experienced from time to time if forms are incomplete or not submitted promptly by the provider. I can assure the deputies that every effort is being made to keep any delays to a minimum. The claim submitted by the facility in question in respect of home tuition for December 2023 has been fully processed and paid. The claim for January 2024 was received on February 8th 2024. This will be processed within the standard timeframe for the processing of correctly completed claim forms which is four to five weeks from the date of receipt.

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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259. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on the IT funding for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7464/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 was published last year and is underpinned by an investment of €200m to support its implementation, committed to under Ireland’s National Development Plan (NDP). The first tranche of €50m issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools in late 2021.

The previous Digital Strategy for Schools 2015 to 2020 saw overall investment of €210m issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools in annual grant funding. This funding enabled schools to invest in appropriate digital infrastructure to enable the embedding of the use of digital technology in teaching, learning and assessment.

Funding of €50m secured as part of Ireland's National Recovery and Resilience Plan under the NextGenerationEU Recovery and Resilience Facility also issued to all recognised schools in the free education scheme to support learners at risk of educational disadvantage through the digital divide in late 2021.

My Department intends to pay the next tranche of ICT grant funding in the 2023 to 2024 school year. The specific timing for issue of the ICT grant is subject to the availability of Exchequer funding and the wider capital needs of the Department including the building programme to ensure the supply of school accommodation.

As part of the forthcoming Review of the National Development Plan, my Department’s aim is to provide better clarity and certainty for schools on the timelines for payment of minor works and ICT grant funding.