Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 June 2023
135. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the funding that was allocated to primary and post-primary schools under the Digital Strategy for Schools in the 2021-2022 school year and in the 2022-2023 school year; her plans to allocate the remainder of the €200 million announced by her under this strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31645/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Digital Strategy for Schools 2015 to 2020 overall investment of €210m issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools in annual grant funding. This funding was to support schools to invest in appropriate digital infrastructure to embed the use of digital technology in teaching, learning and assessment.
The new Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 was published last year and is underpinned by an investment of €200m to support schools over the period committed to under Ireland’s National Development Plan (NDP). The first tranche of €50m for the 2021-2022 school year issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools in late 2021.
It is hoped to issue the next tranche of funding in the 2023-2024 school year – no later than January 2024.
As with all such funding, the issuing of the grant is subject to the availability of Exchequer funding and the wider capital needs of the Department.
It is anticipated that the funding committed to under the NDP will be available to support the implementation of the Digital Strategy to Schools in future years.
As with funding under the previous strategy, the funding under the Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 issues directly to schools as they are best placed to identify the requirements of their own student cohort and to meet those requirements in the most appropriate way in accordance with their digital learning plan.
