Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

426. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of providing an allowance covering the cost of a device (details supplied) for each child in a school that teaches using such a device rather than traditional textbooks. [37697/25]

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

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 issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools. Through the ICT Grant, and the Minor Works grant schemes, schools are directly funded for their ICT infrastructure. Schools have autonomy to determine which infrastructure to implement, including software and devices such as tablet devices, in accordance with their digital learning plans. The funding can also be used to provide loan schemes for devices as needed.

The ICT grant funding is being provided to schools to help them continue to use digital technologies in their teaching, learning and assessment and this is the third tranche of ICT funding under the Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027. The funding issues as a lump sum per school, plus a per capita amount, with an enhanced per capita rate for students enrolled in DEIS and Special schools and to pupils in mainstream special class primary settings. Using this model of funding, all schools are treated equally, fairly and transparently, and are allocated an amount per student.

Schools, in conjunction with parents, are responsible for decisions on the use of digital technology, including tablet devices, laptops, and learning platforms, and how best to manage their integration into classroom practice reflective of their own context and requirements.

Under the Education Act, the Boards of Management of Schools have responsibility for the day to day management of schools. Decisions regarding the use and deployment of digital technology in schools is therefore a matter for the Board of Management of each school in the context of their digital learning planning. Schools are advised to consult with members of the school community including parents when planning for the introduction of digital technologies including devices with cost and other implications being fully considered by the Boards of Managements before a decision is made.

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. Advice sheets are available on digital technology in education, including on the adoption of laptops and tablets in schools.

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 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). Including the most recent grant, a total of €135 million of the €200 million committed to in the NDP for the strategy has issued to schools through the ICT grant. While the NDP commitment did not guarantee a specific amount in each year however, it is anticipated that issuing €35m in 2025, will enable the balance of €65 million remaining to issue to schools over the remaining years of the current strategy to 2027.

This funding demonstrates the ongoing commitment to supporting and enabling schools to ensure the continued embedding of digital technologies in teaching learning and assessment.

I am keenly aware of the challenges faced by educators and parents in relation to costs of digital technology, including tablets, and my Department continues to work to help support schools and families meet these costs. As referenced, in 2017, a circular letter issued to schools with measures to be adopted to reduce the cost of school uniforms and other costs including such ICT devices. See: assets.gov.ie/12695/2045e7ccec684f72b55d93930e45372c.pdf

That circular also instructed schools to consult with parents and their school community on the issue of ensuring costs are reasonable for parents, and how to avoid costs acting as a barrier. This circular specified that wherever possible, generic rather than branded items should be specified (e.g. uniform, clothing, IT tablets, sports equipment etc.).

The Circular provides that schools should also consult with parents on their views and suggestions on cost reduction initiatives. Schools should provide parents with a list of all required items and indicate the likely costs of these required items at best value stores. Where an exclusive supply arrangement applies, it should be reviewed regularly and tendered for in accordance with procurement requirements.

To further assist schools, the OGP, HEAnet, as well as my Department, have established framework of providers of digital devices including tablets, pcs and laptops, with appropriate specifications, agreed pricing, and levels of service, as well as providing framework management. Schools are encouraged to avail of these frameworks which will enable them to comply with procurement requirements and achieve agreed, transparent, pricing.

Finally, back-to-school costs can be a burden for many families. Removing the cost of schoolbooks, workbooks and copybooks in primary schools from the start of the 2023/24 school year has been shown to be a huge step in addressing the cost of sending children to school. €47 million is allocated in 2024 to continue implementation of the schoolbooks scheme at primary level. Further funding of over €67 million is allocated to provide free schoolbooks and classroom resources for Junior Cycle students in recognised post-primary schools in the free scheme for the 2024/25 school year. This will benefit approximately 212,000 Junior Cycle students and add to the 563,000 pupils in primary and special schools who benefited from this initiative in the current school year.

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

427. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of a pilot programme to cover the cost of a device (details supplied) per student in all DEIS schools who teach using such devices rather than traditional textbooks. [37698/25]

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

428. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of a pilot programme to cover the cost of a device (details supplied) per student in 20 school’s irrespective of DEIS status who teach using such devices rather than textbooks. [37699/25]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 427 and 428 together.

It should also be noted that under the Education Act, the Boards of Management of Schools have responsibility for the day to day management of schools. Decisions regarding the use and deployment of digital technology in schools is therefore a matter for the Board of Management of each school in the context of their digital learning planning. Schools are advised to consult with members of the school community including parents when planning for the introduction of digital technologies including devices with cost and other implications being fully considered by the Boards of Managements before a decision is made.

Where schools choose to implement a one to one device policy, The cost per device will vary from school to school, including owing to software that may apply, e textbooks in accordance with year group and so on. On that basis, it would not be feasible or appropriate to assign a particular sum for a device.

Schools, in conjunction with parents, are responsible for decisions on the use of digital technology, including tablet devices, laptops, and learning platforms, and how best to manage their integration into classroom practice reflective of their own context and requirements.

Oide-Technology in Education (the area within my department's support service for teachers specialising in digital technology in teaching and learning, formerly PDST-TiE) offer advice and supports to schools on digital learning. Advice sheets are available on digital technology in education, including on the adoption of laptops and tablets in schools.

As the Deputy is 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 issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools. Through the ICT Grant, and the Minor Works grant schemes, schools are directly funded for their ICT infrastructure, with schools having the autonomy to determine which infrastructure to implement, including software and devices such as tablet devices, in accordance with their digital learning plans. This can include the provision of loan schemes for devices as needed.

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 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). Including the funding recently issued, to date, a total of €135 million of the €200 million committed to in the NDP for the strategy has issued to schools through the ICT grant. While the NDP commitment did not guarantee a specific amount in each year however, it is anticipated that issuing €35m in 2025, will enable the balance of €65 million remaining to issue to schools over the remaining years of the current strategy to 2027.

This funding demonstrates the ongoing commitment to supporting schools to embed the use of digital technologies in teaching learning and assessment.

Further to this, I am keenly aware of the challenges faced by educators and parents in relation to costs of digital technology, including tablets, and my Department continues to work to help support schools and families meet these costs. As referenced, in 2017, a circular letter issued to schools with measures to be adopted to reduce the cost of school uniforms and other costs including such ICT devices. See: assets.gov.ie/12695/2045e7ccec684f72b55d93930e45372c.pdf

That circular also instructed schools to consult with parents and their school community on the issue of ensuring costs are reasonable for parents, and how to avoid costs acting as a barrier. This circular specified that wherever possible, generic rather than branded items should be specified (e.g. uniform, clothing, IT tablets, sports equipment etc.).

The Circular provides that schools should also consult with parents on their views and suggestions on cost reduction initiatives. Schools should provide parents with a list of all required items and indicate the likely costs of these required items at best value stores. Where an exclusive supply arrangement applies, it should be reviewed regularly and tendered for in accordance with procurement requirements.

To further assist schools, the OGP, HEAnet, as well as my Department, have established framework of providers of digital devices including tablets, pcs and laptops, with appropriate specifications, agreed pricing, and levels of service, as well as providing framework management. Schools are encouraged to avail of these frameworks which will enable them to comply with procurement requirements and achieve agreed, transparent, pricing.

Back-to-school costs can be a burden for many families. Removing the cost of schoolbooks, workbooks and copybooks in primary schools from the start of the 2023/24 school year has been shown to be a huge step in addressing the cost of sending children to school. €47 million is allocated in 2024 to continue implementation of the schoolbooks scheme at primary level. Further funding of over €67 million is allocated to provide free schoolbooks and classroom resources for Junior Cycle students in recognised post-primary schools in the free scheme for the 2024/25 school year. This will benefit approximately 212,000 Junior Cycle students and add to the 563,000 pupils in primary and special schools who benefited from this initiative in the current school year.