Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 April 2017
94. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of the €210 million that was provided under the capital plan for the upgrade to school information and communication technology and wireless networks which has been spent; the number of schools this funding has gone to; the number of schools funding will be provided for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18746/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020 Enhancing Teaching Learning and Assessment, sets out the Department's vision for embedding ICT in teaching learning and assessment in primary and post-primary schools. The Strategy recognises the issues schools face in relation to ICT infrastructure, and funding of €210m is committed to address these requirements over the period of the Strategy. The first tranche of funding of €30m in respect of the 2016-2017 school year has now been issued to 3,158 primary schools and 666 post-primary schools.
Details of the ICT Infrastructure Grant Scheme in respect of the 2016-2017 school year, including eligibility criteria and the methodology applied to calculating the payments, can be found on the Department's website at http://www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0001_2017.pdf.
