Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 April 2024
66. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Education with regard to the removal of the ICT grant in Spring 2023, if she will take steps to speed up the payment of the late payment of the ancillary services grant and ICT digital strategy grant to schools that are running out of funds due to having purchased ICT and special needs equipment in anticipation of receiving the ICT grant as in the case of a school (details supplied). [18221/24]
View answerAs you are aware I recently announced €79 million in funding to support digital learning in schools and minor building works. €50 million in grant funding for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) has issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools, while a separate €29 million in minor works funding is being provided to primary and special schools.
This ICT funding is being provided to schools to help them continue to use digital technologies in their teaching, learning and assessment and which represents the second tranche of ICT funding under the Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027.
The Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 was published last year and is underpinned by an investment of €200m to support its implementation, committed to under Ireland’s National Development Plan (NDP). The first tranche of €50m issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools in late 2021.
Under the previous Digital Strategy for Schools 2015 to 2020, saw overall investment of €210m issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools in annual grant funding. This funding enabled schools to invest in appropriate digital infrastructure to enable the embedding of the use of digital technology in teaching, learning and assessment.
Additionally, further Funding of €50m secured as part of Ireland's National Recovery and Resilience Plan under the NextGenerationEU Recovery and Resilience Facility also issued to all recognised schools in the free education scheme to support learners at risk of educational disadvantage through the digital divide in late 2021.
