Funding boost to support digital learning in Clare schools and minor building works
€2.2 million will be paid to all primary and post-primary schools under two different schemes
Schools across Clare have received a boost with the announcement that €2.2 million in funding has been allocated to support digital learning in schools and minor building works in Clare.
The Minister for Education Norma Foley says monies will be paid to all recognised primary and post-primary schools under two different schemes.
A total of €79 million is being allocated to schools across the country to be spent on Information and Communications Technology and minor works.
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.
Commenting on the announcement, Minister Foley said: “I am pleased to be announcing funding which will support primary, post-primary and special schools in Clare and throughout Ireland to enhance both school settings and teaching and learning, to benefit our pupils and students.
“ICT grant funding will support schools to ensure they can continue to embed the use of digital technologies in their teaching, learning and assessment. 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.”
According to the Department of Education, the Digital Strategy ICT grant will consist of a €2,000 basic grant with additional payments based on the number of pupils and students attending the school.
Separately, arrangements are being finalised for the payment of monies to primary schools and special schools to fund minor works for the forthcoming 2024/25 school year.
“Minor works payments are a vital resource in terms of supporting the operation of schools generally and I am pleased to be able to announce €29 million in funding (nationally) that will allow school communities to address issues at local level. 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," said Minister Foley.
“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," she added.