Cuts to tech funding for schools hitting disadvantaged schools hard

Funding cuts which will see a cut of almost 30% to the support available to schools across the state for purchasing and maintaining information and communication technology(ICT) are frustrating school principals, Cork South Central Sinn Féin TD Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire has said. 

Last week Minister Helen McEntee announced €35m in ICT funding for schools, down €14m on 2024, the Sinn Féin TD said, who described the cut as 'taking an axe to the ICT funding provided to schools. 

"Schools received their individual allocations this week and it is clear that every school is significantly down in funding," he said.

“In April 2024, the ICT grant provided €47.64 per pupil in a special class or school. After several months of uncertainty on when or if the funding would be provided, schools must try to account for a €17 cut per pupil. 2025 funding amounts to €30.40 per pupil in a special class or school.

“These cuts couldn’t have come at a worse time. The education system is overwhelmed with uncertainty and anxiousness. There are major crises around assessment of need, Special Needs Assistants(SNAs) and Special Education Therapist(SET) shortages, and a lack of resources for special classes.

“The government continues to perpetuate these issues by continuing their chronic lack of funding trend. This slashing of ICT grants has a direct and negative impact on children’s learning and development in schools.

“Meanwhile, funding for mainstream pupils has been cut from €39.73 to €25.33 per pupil. DEIS schools have had their funding cut from €43.70 to €27.86 per pupil," he said, describing the situation as "utterly shocking". 

He said the situation was being made worse by the "chronic lack.. of investment by successive Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael governments".

According to the Department of Education, the €35 million in ICT grant funding announced "represents the third tranche of ICT funding under the Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 and builds on the €210 million already allocated under the previous Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020 Enhancing Teaching Learning and Assessment and the €100 million that has issued to date under the current strategy".

Education Minister Helen McEntee said it was "vital" that schools could instil students with the skills they need to reach their full potential in our modern society. "This ICT funding will empower schools to harness the opportunities that technology presents, and to support children and young people to become competent, critically engaged learners," she said.