Schools in Kilkenny get €1.1m to buy digital devices and facilitate remote learning

Primary and secondary schools across Kilkenny city and county are to share over €1.1 million in ICT funding.

The funding is part of a €50 million Information and Communications Technology (ICT) package unveiled by Education Minister Norma Foley that will be paid to primary and post-primary schools across the country next month.

Kilkenny TD John Paul Phelan welcomed the funding. Deputy Phelan said: “The €50 million payments involve €40 million ICT Grant funding issued to all eligible schools in line with previous years, to support the embedding of the use of digital technologies in teaching and learning.

“A further €10 million is to be invested in measures to provide for the continuity of teaching and learning using digital technology. The Department’s capital budget was increased in 2020 to facilitate the payment of these grants in December 2020.

“Of this, €564,973 will be invested in primary schools across Kilkenny, with a further €544,335 for secondary schools. This brings investment in Kilkenny to €1,109,308 and will be transformative for our schools,” Deputy Phelan added.

Minister Foley added: “This funding, including €10 million for Covid-19 specific measures, will allow schools to put in place robust systems to enable the use of digital technologies within the school, and also provide for remote learning.

“Those measures can include the purchase of digital devices to loan to students and teachers, software, essential learning platforms and other ICT solutions as determined by the needs of the individual school. It will be paid on an automatic basis to every recognised school in the country.

“There is little doubt that the potential and importance of digital learning and the use of digital technologies has come into sharper focus in light of recent experiences. Digital learning is an essential component of a modern curriculum, and this funding will help schools to equip their students with the skills and competencies they will need to thrive.

“This year’s extended period of school closure has served to underscore the immense value of education and its power in our children and young people’s lives. Investment in education is one of this government’s top priorities. I am delighted to announce this funding today to assist schools to support their digital technology programmes, as well as broader teaching and learning.”