Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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155. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the procurement and tendering procedures used by the PDST in determining what tablets were to be used on the Department's initiative Points for Life; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18927/14]

Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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156. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the total cost of tablets used in the Points for Life initiative in his Department; if the Department received any sponsorship of these; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18928/14]

Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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159. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the usage of iPads is endorsed by the Points for Life initiative which is part of the PDST programme and the reason usage of MS Surface tablets has not been endorsed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18942/14]

Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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162. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason his Department does not endorse or promote any product for use in schools as his Points for Life initiative gets schools to sign an acknowledgement that they are using PDST owned iPads for the initiative and that they remain as part of the PDST which is fully funded by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19010/14]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 155, 156, 159 and 162 together.

The Points for Life initiative is a physical activity programme which is currently being piloted in an number of schools in Co. Wicklow. The project is overseen by a Committee comprised of officials from my Department, PDST, Blackrock Education Centre and is chaired by Senator Eamonn Coughlan. The tablets were sponsored. The tablets are used for the assessment of physical literacy in the classroom.

The Professional Development Service for Teachers does not endorse or promote any product for use in schools. They are available to advise schools on how to integrate technology in teaching and learning. The decision on the introduction of tablet devices and the type of tablet purchased is one that rests with the Board of Management of a school.