Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 May 2017
124. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of information and communication technology grants his Department has paid to primary and secondary schools in the past 12 months; the details of the grants given to schools in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24932/17]
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 667 post-primary schools.
Details of the Grant Scheme for ICT Infrastructure, 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.
The rates payable are €2,000 per school plus €22.20 per mainstream pupil in primary schools, with additional per capita payments for pupils in DEIS schools, Special Classes and Special Schools. At post-primary, the rates payable are €2,000 per school plus €31.90 per student, with an additional per capita payment for students in DEIS schools. The grant is worth approximately €4,000 for a 100 pupil school and approximately €13,000 (plus the lump sum) for a 500 pupil school at primary level. At post-primary level, the grant is worth circa €17,000 for a 500 student school, and some €33,000 for a 1,000 student school.
In addition, all new school buildings, and school extensions projects (where additional classroom accommodation is being delivered) receive an ICT Infrastructure grant per classroom, issued by the Planning and Building Unit of this Department.
