Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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1011. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on the implementation of the Digital Strategy for Schools; the number of schools equipped with digital technology and training provided to teachers, by region, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40952/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 sets out the Department’s policy to continue the progress made in embedding digital technology across the curriculum and in all aspects of teaching, learning and assessment in primary and second level schools. The Strategy is framed across three Pillars with objectives specified under each from which key strategic actions have been identified. Work has been ongoing under the various objectives set out in the current strategy since publication in 2022, and the Implementation Plan was published in November 2024. The plan sets out actions under each of the three pillars, timelines and the owners for each action. The Implementation Plan will be reviewed before then end of 2025 and refreshed as needed with an update containing new/amended actions as relevant. This will include reporting on progress on implementation to date.

The Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 and it's 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). To date, €135m in ICT Grant funding under the Digital Strategy to 2027 has issued to schools from the NDP commitment, including €35m recently announced to issue to schools under the Digital Strategy.

This funding issues directly to schools as schools are best placed to identify the requirements of their own student cohort and to meet those requirements in accordance with their digital learning planning. This can include the purchase of ICT devices such as tablets, hybrid devices, or laptops, and the implementation of loan schemes for same if needed.

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.

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. As such, the Department does not gather the data referred to in relation to digital technology infrastructure in schools.

The upskilling of teachers continues to be a key priority for the Department in the promotion of digital technologies in teaching and learning. Oide offers professional learning opportunities to teachers and school leaders in a range of pedagogical, curricular and educational areas, through online course provision, webinars, in-person events, and school site visits. Its dedicated Technology in Education Team, together with its Digital Technologies Professional Learning Leader team, continue to design, develop and deliver a comprehensive range of teacher professional learning programmes for teachers and school leaders.

The Digital Learning Framework provides schools and teachers with a structure to support them in embedding digital technologies in teaching, learning and assessment and guidance in developing a Digital Learning Plan. Advice and support for schools on digital learning planning is provided by Oide TiE with extensive resources available on dlplanning.ie.

A broad range of blended teacher professional learning programmes and resources continue to be made available to assist schools to implement the DLF and to effectively use digital technologies in teaching and learning practices. This TPL includes quality assured exemplars published online of effective and highly effective practices. Scoilnet, managed by the Oide-TiE, is a central repository of digital content containing in excess of 24,000 online resources tagged to the Irish curriculum, for use in teaching and learning.

There is broad provision in this regard, however the tables below capture some of the activity of the digital technology professional learning leaders for the 2024-2025 school year by region.

Summary by Province - Primary