Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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92. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide the details of the expenditure on ICT in schools since 27 June 2020, on a local authority basis, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43457/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 is underpinned by an investment of some €200m committed to in the National Development Plan 2021-2030, providing continuity of funding following the €210m that issued to schools to support the previous strategy. Grant funding of €100m from the NDP commitment of €200m has issued to schools under the Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027, including €50m that issued in April 224.

This funding issues directly to schools as schools are best placed to identify the requirements of their own student cohort and to meet those requirements in the most appropriate way. This can but not limited to, the purchase of ICT devices such as tablets, hybrid devices, or laptops.

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.

This funding issued directly to schools as they were best placed to determine the needs of their own students and have autonomy to do so, within the criteria applying to this funding. This can include establishing schemes to loan devices to students, and this also applies to Digital Strategy Grant funding.

My Department also operates the Schools Broadband Programme providing high speed connectivity to recognised primary, special and post-primary schools at an annual cost of some €15m.

The information requested is not held in the format referred to. However, please find ICT grant funding provided to primary and post primary schools, in tabular form, for the period requested by County.