Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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95. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the ‘Keeping Childhood Smartphone Free’ initiative will be extending to both public and private post-primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40537/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The wellbeing of all learners is a key priority of the Department, as well as the empowerment of parents and school communities through education and information. It was with this in mind that my Department published guidelines in November 2023 for parents of primary-age children called Keeping Childhood Smartphone Free. These guidelines provide practical advice and suggestions to support parents and parent associations wishing to develop voluntary codes regarding smartphone use among primary school children. The aim is to support parents who wish to come together with their school community to explore and agree the best approach to mediate their children’s engagement with the online world through the use of a smartphone device, including adopting a voluntary code for their children to not have a smartphone until a certain point in time.

Following the publication of the guidelines, a series of parent information sessions were held in various education centres throughout the county in relation to the smartphone guidelines and on online safety in general. A series of online webinars was also held. In addition, a “Digital Citizenship Champions” programme has been initiated with the aim of providing professional development to about 90 primary school teachers who will become “Digital Citizenship Champions”. The programme is designed around three key aspects: being online, well-being online and rights online. These champions will provide both in-person and online workshops and information sessions at their respective education centres.

The seminars and webinars were open to all primary schools, including fee paying primary schools. The workshops and information sessions will also be open to all primary schools.

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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96. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the first- and full-year cost of the ‘Keeping Childhood Smartphone Free’ initiative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40538/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The wellbeing of all learners is a key priority of the Department, as well as the empowerment of parents and school communities through education and information. It was with this in mind that my Department published guidelines last November for parents of primary-age children called Keeping Childhood Smartphone Free. These guidelines provide practical advice and suggestions to support parents and Parent Associations wishing to develop voluntary codes regarding smartphone use among primary school children. The aim is to support parents who wish to come together with their school community to explore and agree the best approach to mediate their children’s engagement with the online world through the use of a smartphone device, including adopting a voluntary code for their children to not have a smartphone until a certain point in time.

Following the publication of the guidelines, a series of parent information sessions were held in various education centres throughout the county in relation to the smartphone guidelines and on online safety in general. A series of online webinars was also held. In addition, a “Digital Citizenship Champions” programme has been initiated with the aim of providing professional development to about 90 primary school teachers who will become “Digital Citizenship Champions”. The programme is designed around three key aspects: being online, well-being online and rights online. These champions will provide both in-person and online workshops and information sessions at their respective education centres.

The cost for the first full year of the initiative is approximately €70,000, which has been met from within existing allocations. The valuable work of Webwise, part of the Irish Safer Internet Centre, and co-funded by my Department and the EU, has also been sanctioned to increase staffing so as to add to their capacity.

Webwise promotes the autonomous, effective and safe use of the internet by young people through a sustained information and awareness strategy targeting school leaders, teachers, parents and children themselves with consistent and relevant messages. It develops and disseminates resources that help teachers integrate digital citizenship and online safety into teaching and learning in their schools.

As a further support for learner wellbeing, under Budget 20205 once-off capital investment of €9 million (ca. €20 per student) has also been made available to fund the purchase of mobile phone storage solutions such as lockable pouches for post-primary schools to enable the implementation of the recently announced ban on the use of and access to student mobile phones during the school day.

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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97. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she or any of her official had any meeting with companies or representatives of companies that produce phone pouches; when each of these meetings took place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40539/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm that neither I nor any of my officials have had any meetings with companies, or representatives of companies, that produce phone pouches. As has been outlined, it is intended to support schools to implement the recently announced ban on the use of students' personal mobile phones during the school day, through the provision of appropriate procurement mechanisms. Any such procurement will be carried out in accordance with all procurement regulations and requirements.