James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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257. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to ban the use of smartphones in schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4504/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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Decisions on the use of phones in schools are taken at a local level by the Board of Management of a school, who under the Education Act 1998, have responsibility for the direct governance of a school. In developing policies on such issues, including bring your own device and smart phone usage, Boards of Management should consult with the wider school community, including parents.

My Department takes the health and safety of all children extremely seriously, and in that context, all schools are advised to have an Acceptable Usage Policy in place, which governs students’ use of the internet at school and covers a wide range of issues surrounding the rights, responsibilities and privileges – as well as sanctions – connected with computer use. A suite of information, including an “AUP Generator” to assist schools is available at.

Information for teachers, schools and parents on specific technologies, including Smartphones and social media apps, can be found at www.webwise.ie and www.pdsttechnologyineducation.ie.

Under the Broadband for Schools Programme schools are provided with a portfolio of network services including security & filtering of content.

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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258. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the direction his Department offers to primary schools and secondary schools regarding students’ usage of smartphones in school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4508/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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Decisions on the use of phones in schools are taken at a local level by the Board of Management of a school, who under the Education Act 1998, have responsibility for the direct governance of a school. In developing policies on such issues, including bring your own device and smart phone usage, Boards of Management should consult with the wider school community, including parents.

My Department takes the health and safety of all children extremely seriously, and in that context all schools are advised to have an Acceptable Usage Policy in place, which governs students’ use of the internet at school and covers a wide range of issues surrounding the rights, responsibilities and privileges – as well as sanctions – connected with computer use. A suite of information, including an “AUP Generator” to assist schools is available at /.

Information for teachers, schools and parents on specific technologies, including Smartphones and social media apps, can be found at www.webwise.ieand www.pdsttechnologyineducation.ie.

Under the Broadband for Schools Programmeschools are provided with a portfolio of network services including security and filtering of content.