Press release
Minister McHugh announces ICT funding for Schools including €10 million top-up funding
Published on
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Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh TD has today (Wednesday 22 April 2020) announced a special €10 million fund to support the purchase of technology and devices for disadvantaged students.
A total of €7 million additional funding will be provided in the post-primary sector and €3 million in the primary sector.
Minister McHugh said:
“Providing €10 million for schools now to buy devices like laptops is going to be a huge help to students and teachers as part of our response to COVID-19.
“And schools know their students best. So they are being empowered to support those who most need access to technology, with the right equipment.
“Schools are being asked to prioritise exam classes, and then to look at where else access to technology is most needed. I am confident this will make a real difference to thousands of students and provide the technology they need to be able to access online supports.”
In January the Minister announced the latest round of funding for ICT under the Digital Strategy for Schools. €40 million grant funding will be distributed in the coming weeks to eligible schools as previously notified. Today’s announcement includes a top-up scheme which will see €10 million issuing to schools in the coming weeks also.
The Department of Education and Skills will issue a circular to schools providing the details governing the funding for the grant and the top-up funding.
The department is working with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and telecoms companies through industry body Ibec to make a number of relevant websites “zero rated”. This would allow students to access these sites with no data costs.
Minister McHugh added:
“At this time it is imperative we go further as a society to support more vulnerable young people. By redirecting funding we are focusing our attention on where it is needed, with a priority on Leaving Certificate students. Combined with an emphasis on wellbeing, this funding will help to give students the tools they need to succeed.”
The measures are part of a number of initiatives taken by the department to support children and young people who are at risk of educational disadvantage during the period of school closures.
They include:
Minister McHugh added:
“I believe the tech grants now being issued to schools can help harness the hard work, innovation and creativity being shown by our schools and their students to the greatest extent possible. The efforts of our school communities are something to be proud of.”
The Department of Education and Skills will issue circulars to schools providing details governing the grant and top-up funding.
ENDS
The strategy provides grants worth €210 million for ICT Infrastructure to schools over the five years of the Strategy.
In January the Minister announced a €40 million funding package which would be distributed across eligible schools. This funding will be distributed in the coming weeks also.
The €10 million fund has been secured by redirecting funding which had been planned for distribution to eligible schools following an application process towards the end of 2020. The grant has been revised to target and support disadvantaged students and to support new priorities in students’ learning.
Schools are being asked to re-prioritise this funding where needed to support the continuity of teaching and learning for students in the context of the current public health crisis.