Eoghan Kenny (Cork North-Central, Labour)
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141. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on concerns in relation to ICT funding for 2025, as raised by an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30864/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, I recently announced €65 million in funding to support digital learning in schools and minor building works. €35 million in grant funding for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) has issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools, while a separate €30 million in minor works funding is being provided to primary and special schools.

The Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 and its associated implementation plan is underpinned by funding of €200 million for schools in the form of the ICT Grant over the course of the strategy, committed to under Ireland’s National Development Plan (NDP). The funding allocation model is provided for in the National Development Plan and outlines funding to issue over the period of the NDP, applied by the Department for the Digital Strategy duration (to 2027 for the current strategy).

To date, a total of €100 million of the €200 million provided for in the NDP for the strategy has issued to schools through the ICT grant. The NDP commitment did not guarantee a specific amount in each year however, it is anticipated that issuing €35m in 2025, as announced by the Minister, will enable the balance of €65 million remaining to issue to schools over the remaining years of the current strategy to 2027.

This funding underpins the ongoing commitment to supporting and enabling schools to continue to embed the use of digital technologies to enhance teaching, learning and assessment. Engagement between the department and the Department of Public Expenditure NDP Delivery and Reform on the review of the NDP will include the requirement to sustain this support for schools, and provide certainty into the future.