Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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1267. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 318 of 5 November 2013 and 1398 of 17 September 2014, regarding the financial pressure on parents in relation to ipads (details supplied), if she has put in place any new measures to deal with this issue. [31253/15]

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. This advice sheet covers areas such as what tablets can offer a school, educational considerations, purchasing considerations and software.

The new Digital Strategy for Schools which will be published shortly will address how a school plans for the integration of ICT into teaching, learning and assessment and responds to the challenges associated with new technologies.