As the Deputy is aware, the Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 was published last year and is underpinned by an investment of €200m to support schools over the period of the strategy with this funding committed to under Ireland’s National Development Plan (NDP). My Department’s aim is to provide better clarity and certainty for schools on the timelines for payment of the ICT grant funding as part of the ongoing delivery of the NDP, including periodic reviews, through collaboration and discussion with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP and Reform.
To date under the Digital Strategy for schools, a total investment of €310 million has issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools in ICT 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, a further funding of €50m secured as part of Ireland's National Recovery and Resilience Plan under the NextGenerationEU Recovery and Resilience Facility 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.
The Department also operates the Schools Broadband Programme at an annual cost in excess of €13m, providing high speed broadband to recognised schools, and a dedicated schools broadband helpdesk. This service includes content filtering and firewall security to schools on the network.
Funding alone is only a small part of the Digital Strategy and what is incorporated in the stated vision of the Digital Strategy for Schools is an education system that supports the development of competent, critically engaged and active learners. It is vital that all learners regardless of socioeconomic circumstances or geographical location are given the opportunity to develop their digital competence and literacy.
Digital technologies are now an everyday feature of both children and young people’s lives. It is important to support children and young people throughout their education to enable them to maximise the benefits of their education journey, to equip them for their future careers and to protect them from the potential risks they may be exposed to.
The Digital strategy, will continue to support schools in planning for and embedding digital technologies throughout their teaching, learning and assessment. Extensive support for schools to develop digital learning plans is provided through the Digital Learning Framework, alongside a suite of teacher professional learning, delivered through the Department funded teacher support service, Oíde Technology in Education.
The overarching objectives under the strategy are already in progress with various programmes, initiatives and pilots underway, as well as continuous professional support for schools leaders and teachers.
