Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)

As the Minister may be aware, some schools throughout the country have told parents that they have to buy specific tablets up to the value of approximately €600. Some of these parents have been speaking to me. Those who have three children in secondary school have had to go to credit unions so that they can pay €1,800 for these specific tablets. The schools are sending out the information telling parents that the tablets have to be a certain make, model and particular type of brand. For a lot of people, it is not affordable. This is happening despite the introduction of the free book scheme, which was intended to reduce the financial burden. It seems to be in contradiction of what was described last year when the Government was coming up with €9 million for pouches to reduce screen time. Will the Minister provide some clarification on why this is happening? It is not just happening in one school in Cork; it is happening across the country.

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