Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh TD has announced a special €10 million fund to support the purchase of ICT devices for students.
The fund will enable schools to buy devices such as laptops for disadvantaged students.
Schools are being asked to prioritise Leaving Cert students to support them with home learning ahead of their summer exams. Minister McHugh has said that the Leaving Cert exams are ‘most likely’ starting on 29th July. The date is set to be confirmed in the coming days.
€7 million funding will be provided in the post-primary sector and €3 million in the primary sector.
Minister McHugh said schools are being empowered to spend the money on equipment for students who need it most, as “schools know their students best”.
“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,” Minister McHugh said.
The Department of Education has also said it will organise the bulk purchase of laptops to reduce costs if schools believe that this is the best approach.
The Department will issue a circular to schools providing the details governing the funding for a €40m Digital Strategy for Schools grant announced in January and the €10m top-up funding.
