Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)

The Minister and I share a constituency. She must be aware of what is happening and she must have been contacted. Earlier, she referenced a school that is moving to digital. I have been contacted by parents with children in that school and by parents across the State who have been part of a consultation but whose opinion is not reflected in the policy of the school. They simply cannot afford new digital devices and they are really exposed. Notwithstanding that they have been pointed towards the credit unions or other financial supports, they simply cannot afford this additional cost. It is simply not true to say that the school should provide a loan for them or that the funding the Minister is providing will provide a solution. It is not providing a solution for these parents. There needs to be a recognition of that and dedicated support for them.

See this speech in context