The National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) has been developed by the Government to enable Ireland to access funding under the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility.
The Recovery and Resilience Facility is the largest component of Next Generation EU which is the European Union’s response to the global pandemic. The aim is to help repair the immediate economic and social damage brought about by the pandemic and to prepare for a post-Covid Europe that is greener, includes improved digitalisation, is more resilient and fit to face the future.
The Department of Education was successful in securing €50m under this funding facility for the issue of a once-off grant to recognised primary and post-primary schools in the free education scheme. The focus of this funding will be to enable schools to address the needs of learners at risk of educational disadvantage arising from a lack of access to necessary digital infrastructure.
In Gorey ETSS this funding (received in 2022) was used to support initiatives addressing learners impacted by socio-economic factors, minority groups and learners in direct provision. It was used for Wellbeing activities supported by digital technologies and for loan schemes for digital infrastructure. Funds were also used for literacy initiatives that would benefit the whole school community.
Examples of projects:
Purchase of software to digitise the library to allow students to browse and reserve books through their laptops.
Purchase of extra laptops for a loan scheme for students recently arrived from Ukraine.
Purchase of Apple iMac to support students in CBA preparation.