Every school in Kilkenny can benefit from new grant for tablets and projectors

EVERY school in Kilkenny is set to receive grants to purchase key technology, including tablets, cloud systems and projectors, it has been confirmed.

The funding boost is part of the national €50 million investment in ICT infrastructure for all schools.

Welcoming the announcement, Kilkenny Councillor Patrick O’Neill said: “I’m delighted that Kilkenny schools are set benefit. Grant funding for the purchase of ICT infrastructure will issue to all eligible primary and post primary schools in the country to enable them to embed the use of digital technology in teaching and learning.”

Cllr O’Neill, who was recently confirmed as Fine Gael’s third General Election candidate in the Carlow-Kilkenny constituency, added: “Our Digital Strategy for Schools sets out a clear vision that is focussed on realising the potential of digital technologies to transform the learning experiences of students.

“The latest tranche of funding is made up of an initial pot of €45m – up €15m on the allocations in previous years. The grants will be allocated through a standard lump sum and additional per-capita sums based on the size of the school.”

At primary level, the grant is worth in the region of €5,900 for a 100-pupil school and almost €22,000 for a 500-pupil school.

At post-primary, a 500-student school can receive a grant of almost €27,000, rising to €52,000 for a 1,000-student school.

A further €5m pot of funding is also being set aside in this year’s tranche to recognise and support schools’ efforts to engage with digital technologies in teaching and learning.

Minister for Education and Skills, Joe McHugh, said: “This investment in effective ICT infrastructure in schools will also support curriculum development and enhance teaching and learning.

“The latest funding of €50m continues the Government commitment under Project Ireland 2040 to underpin the implementation of the Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020.”