Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 November 2023
198. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education what funding, if any, is available to private companies from her Department for research and development of educational technologies and applications. [49467/23]
View answerThe Department does not currently have a specific stream of funding available for private companies for research and development of educational technologies and applications. As I am sure the Deputy is aware, under procurement regulations, funding can only be provided to private companies through an appropriate procurement process, other than where there is an innovative partnership for a necessary product or service not readily available otherwise.
Under the Education Act, Boards of Management of individual schools have responsibility for the day to day management of the school, and are funded on that basis. Schools have autonomy to make decisions as to the use of digital technologies for teaching and learning in their school, depending on their own context and in line with their Digital Learning Plan. The Department does not mandate or prescribe the use of specific tools or technologies, rather it provides advice and support to school to enable them to make informed decisions. Schools must also adhere to procurement regulations in utilising state funds for expenditure including on ICT infrastructure.
