Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 23 November 2022
119. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Education if her Department will establish a digital support fund in order that Ukrainian students can complete their exams as per the Ukrainian curriculum; and if these students will be provided with adequate broadband connection and appropriate digital devices such as laptops or iPads in response to the Ukrainian refugee crisis. [58317/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe funding provision under the Digital Strategy for Schools 2027 has issued in full for the first tranche of ICT grant in December 2021.
As with funding under the previous strategy, the funding issued directly to schools as schools are best placed to identify the requirements of their own student cohort and to meet those requirements in the most appropriate way. It is a decision for the Board of Management of each school to determine how the ICT grant monies is spent, in line with the ICT circular that issued for the grant. Details of this ICT grant funding can be found at gov.ie - Grant Scheme for ICT Infrastructure – 2021/2022 School Year (www.gov.ie)
The first tranche totalling €50m, which has already issued is part of the total amount of investment of some €200m, under the Digital Strategy for Schools 2027. Subject to the available exchequer funding, the remaining amount of some €150m will issue over the lifetime of the Digital Strategy for Schools 2027, on an annual basis similar to the previous ICT funding under the Digital Strategy 2015 – 2020.
In the context of the current situation in Ukraine, and Ireland’s humanitarian response to the crisis in taking in refugees, this funding can also be used by schools to support the needs of Ukrainian children arriving in Ireland through access to digital technology infrastructure. This can include loaning devices to Ukrainian children enrolled in the school if needed, as well as providing appropriate software, app and tools to support their learning.
However subject to available exchequer funding, the next planned ICT Grant funding will issue to schools in due course for the 2022/23 school year.
The delivery of high-quality internet connectivity for all schools is a key objective of my Department. It is accepted that good connectivity is essential to ensure that schools are facilitated to progress the embedding of digital technologies in teaching and learning and for the implementation of new and revised curriculum.
My Department operates the Schools Broadband Programme at an annual cost of some €13m, providing connectivity to schools through a range of technologies at the best level of connectivity available based on local infrastructure. In relation to broadband for students, my Department does not have a role in the provision of residential broadband infrastructure. Provision for such services fall to the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and this is being addressed through the implementation of the National Broadband Plan Intervention Area. My officials have an ongoing engagement with that Department on issues relating to broadband services for schools.
Schools are encouraged where possible to support students who wish to continue to engage with the Ukrainian curriculum online while at the same time providing opportunities to integrate with the school community.
