Erin McGreehan (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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433. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the funding available for primary and post-primary schools for cybersecurity. [34202/25]

Erin McGreehan (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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434. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the funding and supports available for primary and post-primary schools for cyber security audits. [34203/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 433 and 434 together.

As the Deputy is aware, I recently announced €35 million in grant funding for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) which has now issued to all recognised primary and post-primary 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 support schools 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.

As outlined in the associated circular for Digital Strategy ICT Grant Funding, schools can utilise the funding to support school cybersecurity solutions. Full details on what the funding can be used for can be found at www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/circulars/grant-scheme-for-ict-infrastructure-2025/

Oide-Technology in Education (the area within my department's support service for teachers specialising in digital technology in teaching and learning), offer advice and supports to schools on digital learning.

Cyber security is an emerging issue for schools. To address some of these issues and support schools, in recent years Oide TiE has developed a range of cybersecurity guidance and resources for schools, available on the Oide TiE website. The Department and Oide TiE also engage with the National Cybersecurity Centre to inform these supports.

Oide – TiE and the National Cybersecurity Centre (NCSC) have recently collaborated to to develop a ‘Quick Guide- Cybersecurity for Schools’. Oide TiE will also provide an online training course on cyber security for school leaders, to be available in Summer 2025.

Erin McGreehan (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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435. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the supports available to schools for their GDPR compliance on their technology platforms (details supplied). [34204/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Data Protection Commission has created the Data Protection Toolkit for Schools, in conjunction with various education stakeholders, which can be accessed via their website. Included is detailed guidance on different aspects of data protection law in the specific context of schools. There is an FAQ section containing answers to questions commonly received by the DPC from the education sector and an appendix containing helpful resources for schools. These resources have been developed specifically to support schools to be compliant with GDPR obligations.

Oide-Technology in Education (the area within my department's support service for teachers, specialising in digital technology in teaching and learning), offers advice and support to schools on digital learning, including online learning The Oide TiE website hosts extensive information and resources to support schools with their ICT infrastructure, including through a dedicated email alias for specific queries.

As the Deputy may be aware, I recently announced €35 million in funding to support digital learning in schools. €35 million in grant funding for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) has now issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools. This ICT funding is being provided to schools to enable the continued embedding of digital technologies in their teaching, learning and assessment This is the third tranche of ICT funding under the Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027.

The funding allocation model applying to the ICT Infrastructure Grant is detailed in the associated circular. 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. Information on the background to this scheme for the 2024-2025 school year, the rates and eligibility for this funding, is set out in the associated circular which can be found on. gov.ie website. Circular number 0042/2025

The Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 and its associated implementation plan is underpinned by funding of €200m 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, with 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 €135 million of the €200 million committed for in the NDP for the strategy has issued to schools through the ICT grant, including the recently issued grant. While 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.