Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)
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168. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to roll out the Government proposal of phone pouches in schools; if she has a timeline for the roll out; if there is a plan as to who will administer this in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22104/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, my predecessor issued a letter to all schools advising that they restrict the use of mobiles phones by students during the school day, as a complementary wellbeing measure. To support schools to implement this policy approach, funding was allocated in Budget 2025 for the provision of mobile phone storage solutions for students in post-primary schools.

Guidance is currently being drafted which will issue to school principals and boards of management to help them implement their policy on the use of personal mobile phones by students during the school day which can include the purchase of secure storage solutions, such as pouches, for students’ mobile phones.

The mechanism whereby the funding will issue to schools is also being prepared and will be available in due course.

My Department, together with the Schools Procurement Unit, is currently undertaking a procurement process to establish a framework of providers of secure portable mobile phone storage pouches for schools to easily access appropriate equipment, with the benefit of fixed pricing including for bulk purchasing. Evaluation of tenders received is ongoing, and the outcome will be announced when procurement and associated requirements conclude.