Grants for Cork schools to promote use of technology 

The RISE community fund, supported by National Broadband Ireland (NBI), has announced a new round of cash grants for national schools in Cork to promote the use of technology in education.

The grants are intended to help schools fund digital learning initiatives, improve classroom technology, support connectivity projects, or enhance school operations using technology.

The objective of the funding is to help young people in rural communities thrive in a digital world by complementing the national broadband plan.

David McCourt, chairman of NBI and founder of the RISE community fund, said from the outset RISE was created “to complement the national broadband plan by helping communities make the most of high speed connectivity.”

“As we look ahead to completing broadband rollout in 2026, we’re delighted to support national schools in Co Cork, giving young people in rural communities the tools, skills and opportunities they need to thrive in a digital world.”

TJ Malone, chief executive officer at NBI, added: “The national broadband plan is being delivered on time and on budget, and as we move towards its completion in 2026, it’s important that we continue to give back to the communities the project serves.

“Through RISE, NBI, and our partners are proud to support schools in Co Cork as they explore new ways to use technology to enhance education and improve school environments.”

Supported by NBI and a group of corporate partners involved in the delivery of the national broadband plan including KPMG, Circet, TLI Group, Entegro, and Obelisk, the RISE community fund plans to award cash grants to schools across 26 counties throughout 2026.

With an investment of €314m, 82,000 homes, farms, businesses, and schools in Co Cork are included in NBI’s rollout of the Government’s national broadband plan. Over 53,800 of these premises are already able to place an order for high speed fibre broadband and take up rates exceeding 60% in areas of the country, where the network has been live the longest.