Becoming a Digital School of Distinction is a tremendous honour for our school and has already brought us significant benefits. Our focus is on the continued integration of ICT to enhance our curriculum and benefit the pupils, getting the most from technology and providing opportunities for our teaching staff to develop their ICT skills. The whole school is excited about the opportunities that becoming a Digital School offers us.

The Department’s Digital Strategy for Schools Action Plan is backed by a €210million capital investment programme and is key to our schools being part of the best education systems in Europe.

This Digital Schools Award, backed by industry, will further support schools in embedding digital technologies in all aspects of their activities, and help ensure that good practice is captured and shared among the teaching community.

I welcome the support of HP Ireland, Microsoft Ireland and Intel in driving this initiative.

HP believes that the technology sector has a responsibility to support schools and ensure that the next generation is equipped with the knowledge needed to close the STEM and creative skills gap, and drive the economy of tomorrow. Being recognised as a Digital School is a great achievement and an important milestone. We congratulate the 21 schools receiving awards today.