Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

430. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the timeline for administration for the ICT grant to schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25312/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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 Department is aware of the importance of the ICT grants for schools. It is in this context, that the ICT grants 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 grant funding. In that context, any announcements will be made shortly following this process.

Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

431. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the amount received by each school in the last academic year, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25313/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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.

In the last academic year 2023/2024, this Department paid out €49,989,769.63m in ICT Grant funding. This funding 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 Department is aware of the importance of the ICT grants for schools. It is in this context, that the ICT grants 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 grant funding.

The information sought by the Deputy in relation to the breakdown of ICT grant funding to all schools in last academic year, is set out at the link:

Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

432. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to increase the ICT grants to schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25314/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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 Department is aware of the importance of the ICT grants for schools. It is in this context, that the ICT grants 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 grant funding.