Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 July 2026
332. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Youth the details of the expenditure on ICT in schools since 27 June 2020, on a local authority basis, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54543/26]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, in December 2025, I announced €35 million in funding for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) which issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools in January 2026. This ICT funding is being provided to schools to enable the continued embedding of digital technologies in their teaching, learning and assessment. This is the fourth tranche of ICT funding under the Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027.
The Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 and it's associated implementation plan is underpinned by funding of €200m over the course of the strategy, committed to under Ireland’s NDP. The funding allocation model is provided for in the NDP, with funding to issue over the period of the NDP, applied by the Department for the Digital Strategy duration (to 2027 for the current strategy).
Including the €35m that issued in January 2026, a total of €170 million of the €200 million committed for in the NDP for the strategy has issued to schools through the ICT grant. While the NDP commitment did not guarantee a specific amount in each year, clarity and certainty are being provided for school systems regarding the annual grant payment timeline, which is now set for the December/January payment period each year.
This funding underpins the ongoing commitment to supporting and enabling schools to ensure the continued embedding of digital technologies in teaching learning and assessment and builds on the €210m in grants that issued under the previous Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020.
The information requested is not held in the format referred to, however, please find attached ICT grant funding provided to primary and post primary schools, in tabular form for the period requested by County.
