(1888PressRelease)
October 25, 2007 - The news has been welcomed by Minister of State and Clare T.D., Mr. Tony Killeen who confirmed that the funding will provide greater access to Information and Communications Technology and will promote vital ICT skills development among school children.
According to Minister Killeen, the Clare schools will receive funding ranging from EUR2,500 to EUR7,000.
“It is intended that the grants will be mainly used to purchase such equipment as Digital Cameras, Digital Video Cameras, Laptops, Tablet PCs, Data Projectors, Interactive Whiteboards, and Educational Software”, explained the Minister.
The recipients of funding are Baltard NS, Doonaha NS, Mullagh NS, Ennistymon Convent N S, Quilty NS, Annagh NS, Scropul NS, S N Na Coradh, Scoil Na Mbraithre, (EUR2,500); Sn Realt Na Mara in Kilkee (EUR3,000), Ennis Educate Together NS (EUR3,500), Chríost Rí and Holy Family Jr School in Ennis (EUR4,000), Convent Of Mercy N S in Kilrush (EUR5,500); Holy Family Snr in Ennis (EUR6,000); Kilrush Community School (EUR6,300); Ennis Community College (EUR7,000).
According to Minister Killeen, “Clare’s school children must be encouraged to develop positive attitudes towards information and communications technology, as ICT will dictate so much of their future working lives. This funding allocation will help hundreds of young students to develop confidence and enjoyment in, and an understanding of, the potential of computer applications including e-mail and the Internet.”
“The Department of Education and Science will be in contact directly with the Clare schools getting this grant in the coming days”, concluded Minister Killeen.
The funding announcement was made by Pat Carey, T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Éamon Ó Cuív, T.D. Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and Mary Hanafin, T.D., Minister for Education and Science.
The announcement comes under the heading of educational disadvantage and it brings the allocations approved by Government under this category since the beginning of 2006 to almost EUR10.5 million. Further announcements will be made over the coming months in relation to applications currently being assessed under this category.
All benefiting schools are participants in the Department of Education and Science’s School Support Programme, under DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools).
Note to Editors:
Minister Tony Killeen (087-2525304) is available for interview and further comment. Alternatively please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 086-8534900 or media ( @ ) dunphypr dot com
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