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DCG Grant 2015 |
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Frequently Asked Questions by Schools |
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Q1 |
How was my school’s grant calculated? |
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A1 |
The grant amounts were calculated as follows: 3 year average from 2012 to 2014 or 4 year average from 2012 to 2015 up to a maximum of 24, plus funding for one additional computer for teaching purposes in the DCG Department. Funding awarded on whichever was the higher of the two averages. Funding based on a grant of €1,150 per computer. |
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Q2 |
What if the cost of my purchases is higher than the grant we are allocated? |
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A2 |
Unfortunately no additional funding is available. Where total cost exceeds the grant allocated, schools will have to make up the difference from their own resources. |
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Q3 |
Is the grant available for fee paying schools? |
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A3 |
Grants for fee paying schools are calculated based on the cabinet decision of Thursday 14 October 2010 whereby Protestant fee-charging schools receive 100% grant funding and Catholic fee-charging schools receive 50% grant funding. |
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Q4 |
Where can I get more information on how to use the DCG Framework arrangements for Procurement? |
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A4 |
For information on the Desktop and Notebook frameworks please refer to: www.t4.ie. Information can also be found at www.smartschools.ie/t4 for the Desktop framework and www.pcp.ie/t4 for the Notebook framework. |
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Q5 |
What computers are offered under the Department drawdown facility |
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A5 |
Desktop: The Fujitsu Celsius 530 Mini Tower PC is the approved computer for Irish schools. The approved supplier is ‘Smartschools’. (www.smartschools.ie). The cost for the Mini Tower PC is €1,135.02 incl VAT.
Notebook: The Lenovo Thinkpad W541 is the approved Notebook for Irish schools. The approved supplier is ‘PC Peripherals’ (www.pcp.ie). The cost for the Notebook is €1,351.77 incl VAT. |
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Q6 |
How should payments be made? |
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A6 |
Laptop: Following order confirmation, PC Peripherals will confirm a delivery date to the school. Full payment to be made to PC Peripherals by bank transfer or cheque following delivery.
Desktop: Orders are placed with Smartschools, but schools will be invoiced by Total Import Solutions (TIS) who will liaise with Schools and confirm a delivery date. Full payment to be made to Total Import Solutions (TIS) by bank transfer or cheque prior to delivery. |
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Q7 |
What CAD software is being provided and will it be installed on the PCs |
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A7 |
All computers purchased through the Department drawdown facility will be shipped to schools with the SolidWorks Education Edition 2015 software and Microsoft Windows 7 (64-bit) operating system preinstalled. Any additional software is the responsibility of the school to install. |
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Q8 |
What if our schools wants additional options provided with the computers purchased under the Framework? |
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A8 |
This is possible under the framework, but schools must specify these additional options at the time of ordering the computers from the supplier(s). |
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Q9 |
How long do schools have to spend the Grant? |
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A9 |
Schools should use the Grant to purchase the computers as soon as possible, but must purchase the computers before the end of December 2015 to ensure compliance with Circular: 13/2014, Management of and Accountability for Grants from Exchequer Funds. Please refer to: http://circulars.gov.ie/pdf/circular/per/2014/13.pdf. |
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Q10 |
Can I use the grant as reimbursement for equipment/software bought previously, or to pay off loans outstanding in relation to previous purchases? |
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A10 |
No. This is not possible. |
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Q11 |
Can we use the grant to buy alternative ICT equipment/software? |
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A11 |
No. This is not possible. |
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Q12 |
We are an ETB school. How is funding being allocated for ETB schools? |
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A12 |
The DCG Grant scheme will be administered by the relevant ETB for the schools which it covers. Each ETB is provided with an aggregate fund. This fund must be used in accordance with the same terms which apply to non-ETB schools, and is calculated in the same manner. The precise outlay in respect of each school within its remit is a matter for each ETB. |
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Q13 |
What if my school has increased numbers of students taking DCG in the coming years? |
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A13 |
Schools should submit a separate application to the School Building Unit for additional funding for equipment detailing the expected student numbers for the next 3 years. Postal Address: Schools Building Unit, Department of Education and Skills, Portlaoise Road, Tullamore, Co Offaly |
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Q14 |
What do I do if my school has not received a grant? |
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A14 |
Grants are provided automatically to Schools who have 4 students or more studying DCG. Schools who believe they are entitled to grant aid under the terms & conditions of the agreement should send their appeal in writing to the ICT Policy Unit, Department of Education and Skills, Marlborough St, Dublin 1 or Email: ictpolicy@education.gov.ie |
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Q15 |
Deadline for Appeals: |
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A15 |
All appeals must be received by 30th September 2015 in writing to the ICT Policy Unit, Department of Education and Skills, Marlborough St, Dublin 1 or Email:ictpolicy@education.gov.ie. Appeals received after this date will not be considered. |
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