Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2026
500. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the cost of increasing the school ICT grant for post primary schools by 10%, 20%, and 50% respectively, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45670/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 National Development Plan (NDP). The funding allocation model is provided for in the National Development Plan, 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 it is anticipated that providing €35m this year, will enable the balance of €30 million to issue to schools over the remaining years of the current strategy to 2027. Clarity and certainty is being provided for school system on annual grant payment timeline which is now set at December/January payment period for 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 costings provided are based on the most recent ICT grant payment of €35m that issued during the 2025/2026 school year, however it should be noted that the actual ICT grant amount varies depending on the total allocation provided in the National Development Plan for the Digital Strategy.
ICT Grant 2025/26 - Post Primary
|
Post primary Amount - 2025/26 |
10% increase |
20% increase |
50% Increase |
|
14.156.165 |
15,571,781 |
16,987,398 |
21,234,248 |
