Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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453. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure the payment of an ICT and minor works grant to a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25506/25]

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 is provided for in the National Development Plan and 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 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.

The Minor Works Grant for the school year 2024/2025 issued in April 2024. The lead-in period ahead of the new school year gave schools sufficient time to make plans and set priorities for use of the funding.

Schools have the autonomy to use this funding for maintenance and small-scale improvements to school buildings and grounds. Given that each school setting is different, individual schools are best placed to decide how best to use this funding to address their particular needs. I can confirm that the school referred to by the Deputy received both ICT Grant funding and Minor Works Grant funding in 2024.

The timeline for the payment of the next tranche of grant funding will be confirmed in due course.

The Department is aware of the importance of the ICT and Minor Works grants for schools. It is in this context, that the ICT grants, Minor Works and other capital expenditure priorities are being considered within the overall funds available. We are continuing to engage with Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform on capital funding priorities, including on the National Development Plan review process with a view to provide better clarity and certainty for schools on the timelines for payment of the ICT and Minor Works grant funding.