Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The investment in children's welfare, mental health and dignity at school is never a waste of money. If this helps one young person in a school who has had difficulties, for example, with the use of mobile phones in schools, is it not a progressive and practical initiative to help support young people and their learning in schools? This policy is underpinned by clear evidence internationally. The UN and many European and other jurisdictions are demonstrating that this a research-based initiative. The initiative is supported by parents of children all over our country, building on the success of the Keeping Childhood Smartphone Free initiative.

As the Minister, Deputy Foley, outlined this week, schools will have the authority to decide what phone storage options they will have. The international research on smartphones is incontrovertible and clearly demonstrates that students perform better when they take a break from their mobile phones. We are ensuring that students have a break away from their mobile phones to help their learning and their well-being in schools. Deputy Doherty should not play populist, shallow and divisive politics when it comes to the mental health of young people.

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