Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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1398. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps she will take to deal with cases where schools demand the compulsory use of iPads in view of the fact that parents cannot afford this cost, which, in some instances, means that children are unable to enrol in their local schools. [34099/14]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The decision to use tablet devices is a matter for the Board of Management of a school. Where the introduction of new technology is planned, it is advisable that there should be consultation with members of the school community including parents. The cost and other implications must be fully considered by the Boards of Managements before a decision is made.

An advice sheet on the adoption of tablets in schools is available on the PDST-Technology in Education (PDST-TIE) website. The PDST TIE promotes and supports the integration of ICT into teaching and learning for schools. This advice sheet covers areas such as what tablets can offer a school, educational considerations, purchasing considerations and software.

A new digital strategy for teaching and learning in schools is under development at present and the use of new technologies will be considered again in this context.