€1.8 million funding for digital learning in schools and minor building works in Westmeath

€1.8 million in funding to support digital learning in schools and minor building works in Westmeath has been announced.

Minister for Education Norma Foley, TD, confirmed the news on Friday as part of €50 million in grant funding for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) that will issue shortly to all recognised primary and post-primary schools across the country.

A separate €29 million in minor works funding is being provided to primary and special schools.

The ICT funding is being provided to schools to help them continue to use digital technologies in their teaching, learning and assessment, while the minor works funding can be used by these schools for maintenance and small-scale improvements to school buildings and grounds.

The €50 million ICT grant represents the second tranche of ICT funding under the Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027. Schools previously received €50m in ICT grant funding for the 2021 to 2022 school year.

Minister Foley said: “Digital technologies can open up a world of opportunities to our pupils and students. It is important that schools can properly equip our young people with the knowledge, skills and understanding to harness the benefits of such technologies.”

The Digital Strategy ICT grant will consist of a €2,000 basic grant for primary schools plus an additional payment of €39 per mainstream pupil, €43 per pupil in DEIS schools and €47 per pupil with special educational needs attending a special school or attending a special class attached to a mainstream primary school. For example, a 100-pupil primary school will receive €5,973 and a 500-pupil primary school will receive €21,865.

Post-primary schools will be paid €2,000 basic grantx plus €47 per mainstream student and €52 per student in DEIS schools. A 500-student post-primary school would receive €25,840 and a 1,000-student-post-primary school would receive €49,680.

The ICT grant builds on the €210m already allocated under the previous Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020, and the €50m issued under Ireland’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan to enable schools to support learners at risk of education disadvantage through the digital divide.

Minister Foley said the department are aware of the need for schools to have appropriate ICT infrastructure and they remain committed to continued funding to support the implementation of the Digital Strategy.

Minister Foley is also commissioning further research into the use of digital technologies in teaching and learning as part of the Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027.

The circular outlining the criteria applying to the Digital Strategy ICT Infrastructure Grant Scheme will be published soon.

Minor Works grants

Arrangements are being made for the payment of €29 million in Minor Works grants to primary schools and special schools. The lead-in period ahead of the new school year will give schools good time to consider plans and priorities for use of the funding. Minister Foley said: “Given that each school setting is different, individual schools are best placed to decide how best to use this funding to address their particular maintenance needs. In this respect the minor works grant funding provides good flexibility to address issues at local school level.

“Good maintenance arrangements are important and should be prioritised with this funding. Maintenance of school buildings is important in promoting health and safety, in providing an appropriate and welcoming learning environment, and in protecting the significant levels of public funding being invested in new and upgraded school infrastructure.”

The department’s Planning and Building Unit are currently finalising updated guidance for schools in relation to good practice arrangements for maintenance of school buildings. It is envisaged that guidance will be finalised and published later in Q2 2024. It is envisaged that the guidance will be provided in an online interactive format that will be easily accessible and user friendly for use by schools.