Written answers

Tuesday, 29 July 2025

Department of Education and Skills

Departmental Data

Photo of Darren O'RourkeDarren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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1181. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of providing a €100 allowance towards iPads for students in secondary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43022/25]

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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At the outset, it should 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 Management 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, 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. Oide- TiE also provide advice sheets on technical and purchasing considerations for 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 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 the €35m issued in 2025, will enable the balance of €65 million remaining to issue to schools over the remaining years of the current strategy to 2027.

As part of the review of the National Development Plan and through ongoing engagement between officials in the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, my Department aims to provide better clarity and certainty for schools on the timelines for payment of the ICT grant funding.

This funding demonstrates the ongoing commitment to support schools to embed the use of digital technologies in teaching learning and assessment, and to date over the period of the previous Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020 and the current strategy, some €345m has issued to schools in ICT grant funding. The funding issues directly to schools as they are best placed to determine their requirements, and the associated circulars outlines how the funding can be used, including that it can provide for loan schemes for devices for students as appropriate.

The Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027, does not mandate or prescribe a policy of one-to-one devices in schools, and all schools are funded fairly and transparently to provide infrastructure in accordance with their digital learning plan, regardless of the particular approach chosen. Where schools choose to implement devices, that approach and costs can vary, however applying an allowance of €100 per student at post-primary level based on the 2024/2025 enrolment data, would cost some €43m.

The intention of the strategy is for the deeper embedding and use of digital technologies in teaching and learning, to develop digital competence and literacy among students, fostering critical thinking and collaborative learning. It is not merely concerned with replacing physical texts with online material, for example.

To further assist schools, the OGP, HEAnet, as well as my Department, have established frameworks 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.

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