Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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169. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if funding has been approved under the emergency works scheme for a school in County Cork (details supplied); if these funds can be used for a purpose; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20952/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The School to which the Deputy refers most recently submitted an application for funding for an internal fire escape staircase under the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS), which was approved and completed in July 2023. There have been no subsequent EWS applications received from this school.

There has been some direct engagement with the school on the issue of fire certification but the school needs to submit an EWS application to address this issue, which has not been received to date. Officials from my Department’s EWS team will engage with the school this week to clarify the position and advise as required.

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I recently announced €50 million in grant funding for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) , which has now issued to all recognised primary, special Schools and post-primary schools. This ICT funding is being provided to schools to help them continue to use digital technologies in their teaching, learning and assessment and which represents the second tranche of ICT funding under the Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027.

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 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.