Carol Nolan
Question:161. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount allocated to schools in ICT grants over each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18537/17]
View answerWednesday, 12 April 2017
Questions (161)
Written answers
As the Deputy may be aware, the ICT in Schools Programme addresses four broad areas, namely:
- the provision of essential ICT infrastructure and networking within schools
- continuous professional development in ICT for teachers
- integrating ICT within the curriculum and providing curriculum relevant digital content and software.
- the provision of access to broadband connectivity to schools
Under this programme, in 2009 and 2010 some €92m was issued to schools to address ICT Infrastructure requirements - €22m to primary schools in 2009, a further €24m to primary schools in 2010, and €46m to post-primary schools in 2010. A one-off grant scheme to support the implementation of the Design Communication and Graphics syllabus was put in place in 2015, with over €7m in funding issued to some 450 post-primary schools.
A new “Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020, Enhancing Teaching, Learning and Assessment” was published in October 2015. The Strategy sets out a clear vision that is focussed on realising the potential of digital technologies to transform the learning experiences of students by helping them become engaged thinkers, active learners, knowledge constructors and global citizens who participate fully in society and the economy.
In January 2017, I announced ICT infrastructure grants for primary and post-primary schools with €30m issued to schools in the latter part of December 2016/early 2017. This represents the first tranche of funding released of the €210m committed to support the implementation of the Strategy over the period. Further information on the grants is available here http://www.education.ie/en/Press-Events/Press-Releases/2017-Press-Releases/PR2017-03-01.html
In addition, the Planning and Building Unit of my Department issue ICT equipment grants in respect of all new schools and school extension projects, in line with the accommodation provided.