Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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66. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to introduce a circular for schools regarding the use of tablets or ipads; if he is concerned at the financial impact this will have on families; and his plans to record the number of schools introducing such devices. [50934/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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An advice sheet on the adoption of tablets in schools is available on the PDST-Technology in Education (PDST TIE) website. The PDST TIE (former NCTE) promotes and supports the integration of ICT into learning and teaching for schools. This advice sheet covers areas such as what tablets can offer a school, educational considerations, purchasing considerations and software. Should a school wish to adopt tablet devices it is an operational matter for the Board of Management of the school. I would add that where new technology is being adopted by schools consultation should take place prior to the decision being made. The cost and other implications must be fully considered by the Boards of Management. As it is a matter for school management whether to adopt tablets my Department does not keep statistics in this area. A new digital strategy for teaching and learning in schools in under development at present and the use of new technologies will be considered again in this context.