Senator Aisling Dolan - Strong Voice, New Vision.
A Roscommon Senator has welcomed the news of €700,000 in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Grants for primary and post-primary schools in Roscommon to be paid in early December, 2020.
Aisling Dolan, Senator for Roscommon-Galway was speaking after the announcement by Minister for Education Norma Foley TD today (Monday 30 November) of €50 million in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Grants for primary and post-primary schools across Ireland.
Senator Dolan explained that Primary schools in Roscommon will share a fund of €470,313 while post primary schools in Roscommon will receive €249,544 and all monies will be paid in early December, 2020.
The Fine Gael Senator who is Seanad Spokesperson for Education, Higher Education, Research & Innovation explained that the Department of Education’s capital budget was increased in 2020 to facilitate the payment of these grants in December 2020. “This funding is hugely welcomed and will be put to excellent use by schools in Roscommon,” she explained. The funding 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.
The overall national €50 million payments involve:
Minister Foley said: “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.”
