Schools in Galway are set to receive almost €3 million in Government funding for investment in information, communication, and digital technologies under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan.
A total of 230 primary schools, and 46 post-primary schools, across the county, have been allocated more than €2.9 million - €1,997,662 for primary and €939,651 for post-primary - to improve digital infrastructure and ensure pupils have access to technological equipment.
Schools will also be able to use the funding for projects and programmes involving digital technology in teaching and learning, as well as providing equipment to pupils, such as loaning devices.
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The funding has been welcomed by Fine Gael Galway West TD, Minister Hildegarde Naughton, who said it would help bridge the “digital divide” which had become apparent in the context of remote learning during the pandemic.
“The unprecedented circumstances of the past two years meant there was a sudden pivot towards remote learning in our schools,” said Dep Naughton [pictured below]. “It became clear that some students were at risk of being marginalised due to a lack of access to ICT infrastructure. This investment will go some way towards addressing that.”
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The NRRP has been prepared by the Government as it accesses the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility, from which Ireland is expected to receive grant funding of €988 million.
The facility is the largest component of the EU’s response to the global pandemic. It aims to repair the immediate economic and social damage brought about by Covid-19, and create a post-Covid Europe that is greener and more digital.
