Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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509. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for details on the next tranche under ICT grant funding; if this will open to schools for application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17172/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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To date, €310 million has issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools in ICT grant funding, under the Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020 and the current Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027. This funding has enabled schools to invest in appropriate digital infrastructure to enable the embedding of the use of digital technology in teaching, learning and assessment.

The Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 was published in 2022 and is underpinned by funding of €200m over the course of the strategy to support its implementation, which was committed to under Ireland’s National Development Plan (NDP). The funding allocation model provided for in the National Development Plan commits to funding to issue over the period of the NDP, applied by the Department for the Digital Strategy duration (to 2027 for the current strategy). As this is capital funding, grant issue in each year 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.

The criteria applying to the ICT Infrastructure Grant will be detailed in the associated circular at the time of issue of the grant. All students following primary and post-primary programmes are included for per capita purposes, in recognised primary, special and post-primary schools. An enhanced per capita rate applies to students enrolled in DEIS and Special schools and to pupils in mainstream special class primary settings.

The most recent tranche of funding of €50 million issued to all recognised primary, special schools and post-primary schools in April 2024. This funding issued directly to schools, as they are best placed to determine the needs of their own students and have autonomy to do so, within the criteria applying to this funding.

As part of the review of the National Development Plan and through ongoing engagement between officials in the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, my Department aims to provide better clarity and certainty for schools on the timelines for payment of the ICT grant funding.