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Information and Communications Technology

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 June 2020

Wednesday, 3 June 2020

Ceisteanna (307)

Gary Gannon

Ceist:

307. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the book grant scheme for 2020/2021 will allow schools to secure information technology tools and e-books in view of the recent learnings from Covid-19 and the fact that schools have not been able to use the funds in the past due to licensing fees. [9504/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

This Department provides a book grant to all recognised primary and post primary schools within the Free Education Scheme in order to provide assistance for books including Book Rental Schemes. Under this scheme, the Department provided funding of €16.9 million in 2019 to all of these schools. 

I also announced additional funding of €1million which is being allocated to 102 Primary DEIS schools for a new pilot programme for the 2020/21 school year.   The aim of this pilot is to provide free school books for students in the schools involved, and to support these schools in eliminating the cost of school books for parents. Under Circular 46/2013, DEIS schools receive a book grant of €21 per student.  This pilot will provide an additional €64 per student to increase the overall book grant rate to €85 per student enrolled in the school.  This additional funding issued to schools in May 2020.  

The decision to use e-books and secure information technology tools is a matter for the Board of Management of a school.  Where the introduction of new technology is planned, consultation with members of the school community including parents is advised.  The cost and other implications must be fully considered by the Boards of Management before a decision is made. 

An advice sheet on the adoption of tablets in schools is available on the PDST-Technology in Education (PDST-TIE) website, detailing what tablets can offer a school, educational considerations, purchasing considerations and software.

Schools who pay the ICLA license fee are covered by license for reproducing material for educational purposes, either online or in print. Most publishers issue eBooks for free with the purchase of their text books, but this is at the publisher’s discretion.  It is up to the school to negotiate the package with the various companies should they feel that the product will be useful in their delivery of the curriculum.

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