REVEALED: Schools in Tipperary to receive over €2.5 million in funding

In excess of €1.3m in ICT Grants and €1.2m in Minor Works Grants for schools across Tipperary have been announced today.

This €2,529,314 in funding is included in a countrywide funding investment of €65m in Primary Schools, Post-Primary Schools and Special Schools to support digital learning and fund minor building works.

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“The funding for ICT infrastructure comprises €803,452.74 for Primary Schools and €525,862.08 for Post-Primary Schools. This will be issued shortly to all recognised Special, Primary, and Post-Primary schools,” said Tipperary North TD Michael Lowry.

“Meanwhile, the Minor Works funding of €1.2m will be provided to Primary and Special Schools to use for maintenance and small-scale improvements to schools.”

The ICT Grant Funding represents the third tranche of ICT funding under the ‘Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027’.

It builds on the €210m already allocated under the previous ‘Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020 Enhancing Teaching Learning and Assessment and the €100m that has been issued to date under the current strategy.

Detailing the breakdown of the funding, Deputy Lowry says that for Primary Schools, the Digital Strategy ICT grant will consist of a €2,000 basic grant plus €25.33 per mainstream pupil, €30.40 per pupil with Special Needs attending a Special School or attending a special class attached to a mainstream school and €27.86 per pupil in DEIS schools.

In the case of a Post-Primary School, it will consist of a €2,000 basic grant plus €30.40 per mainstream student and €33.44 per student in DEIS schools.

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Under the Minor Works funding scheme, the Tipperary TD says that this funding is made available to all Primary and Special Schools on the following basis - €5,500 basic grant plus €18.50 per mainstream pupil and €74 per Special Needs pupil enrolled in the school on the 30th of September of the year prior to the issue of the grant.

The €74 rate applies to a Special Needs pupil attending a Special School or attending a Special Class attached to a mainstream school.

Schools can use this funding for maintenance and small-scale improvements to school buildings and grounds.

Given that each school setting is different, individual schools are best placed to decide how best to use this funding to address their particular needs.