Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 May 2023
291. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of digital devices provided to primary schools under the assistive technology scheme in 2023, 2022 and 2021; and the cost per year of same. [26195/23]
View answerThis year, my Department will spend in excess of €2 Billion, or over 25% of the Department’s budget on providing a wide range of schemes and supports for children with special educational needs. An additional €2 million funding was secured in Budget 2023 for the Assistive Technology scheme. This represents an increase of almost 60% on funding allocated previously to this essential support. This increased allocation supports my Department’s commitment to ensure that a full range of resources, not just teachers and SNAs, are available to support children who most need it.
The Assistive Technology Scheme is provided by my Department to supplement the overall approach to providing funding to schools for digital technology and equipment to support children for education purposes. All equipment provided under this scheme supports children who require essential specialist equipment in order to access the school curriculum. I see assistive technology as a critical enabler for those with special educational needs to gain the maximum benefit from a modern technologically focused education system.
Although equipment is sanctioned under the Assistive Technology scheme for use by particular students, it is the property of the school, and the school’s management authority is responsible for maintenance, repair, and insurance of the equipment.
The statistical Information in relation to assistive technology is recorded by individual application. Information under the Assistive Technology scheme from 2021 and the cost per year are included in the below table:
|
Year |
Number of Assistive Technology Applications Funded |
Total Value of Assistive Technology Applications Funded |
|
2021 |
3,766 |
€3,603,563 |
|
2022 |
4,204 |
€3,735,778 |
|
2023 (Jan-May) |
2,291 |
€1,971,484 |
Furthermore, in April 2022, my Department announced the Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 and associated grant funding for all recognised primary and post-primary schools for digital technology infrastructure.
This strategy will advance the embedding of digital technologies across teaching, learning and assessment, building on the work under previous strategies. It aims to further support the school system so that all students across our schools have the opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills they need to navigate an ever-evolving digital world successfully.
As part of this strategy an ICT Grant will be provided to schools, with €200 million committed over the period of the Strategy. This approach facilitates multi-annual planning by schools to allow them to plan effectively for all of their children. The Department also funds broadband connectivity to all recognised primary, special and post-primary schools through the Schools Broadband Programme at an annual cost of some €13m.
