Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. I acknowledge the excellent engagement from everyone here, including Deputy Gannon, and how supportive and helpful they have been to the local community, including the school community. I recognise in particular Deputy Gannon's personal engagement with me.

On the wider issues the Deputy has raised, the Minister, Deputy McEntee, and the Garda Commissioner have already highlighted a variety of initiatives that have been taken throughout the capital, including an increase in Garda presence and the type of supports that are being made available to gardaí to ensure the environment within the area is as it should be. A significant body of work is being done in that regard. In terms of a cross-agency response, the Department of Education is working with the HSE on the provision of supports for parents. We will continue to do that. There is a multifaceted response.

Given that this question relates specifically to mobile phones, I want to take the opportunity to say we are very conscious of the need for children, in particular, not to use smartphones. We are not saying that young children should not have a phone, but rather that they would not have a smartphone until they have left sixth class because what they carry around in their pocket is not always appropriate for them.

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