85 primary and post primary schools across Cavan to benefit from grant announcement

Cavan schools are to benefit to the tune of just over half a million euros following the announcement of funding for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) by The Department of Education and Skills.

Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton, announced funding of €30m in ICT infrastructure grants for all primary and post-primary schools in the country. The Chairman of Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board, Seán McKiernan, said 157 local primary and post primary schools across the two counties will be in line for funding for IT upgrades.
Mr McKiernan said that the investment marks the start of the Government’s Digital Strategy for Schools: “The grant is worth €544,809 to the 85 primary and post primary schools in Cavan and €472,808 to the 72 primary and post primary schools in Monaghan.”

This funding is aimed at developing an eLearning Plan for schools to embed IT into teaching and learning. “No matter what career a young person contemplates, there is one thing for sure, digital technology is revolutionising it. We want our young people in both Cavan and Monaghan to be leading this revolution and have the best prospects in life,” Mr McKiernan said.
Payments are made directly into the schools’ accounts at €2,000 per school plus €22.20 per mainstream pupil in primary schools, with additional per capita payments for pupils in DEIS schools, Special Classes and Special Schools.

The grant is worth approximately €4,000 for a 100 pupil school and approximately €11,000 for a 500 pupil school at primary level. At post-primary level, the grant is worth circa €15,000 for a 500 student school, and over €27,000 for a 1,000 student school.