Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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205. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of secondary school students who do not have access to a personal digital device at home. [36700/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Education and Youth, does not gather data on access to or the use of personal digital devices by post-primary students as this is outside of the remit that the department has in this regard.

Under the Education Act, the Boards of Management of Schools have responsibility for the day to day management of schools. Decisions regarding the use and deployment of digital technology in schools is therefore a matter for the Board of Management of each school in the context of their digital learning planning. Schools are advised to consult with members of the school community including parents when planning for the introduction of digital technologies including devices with cost and other implications being fully considered by the Boards of Managements before a decision is made.

Schools, in conjunction with parents, are responsible for decisions on the use of digital technology, including tablet devices, laptops, and learning platforms, and how best to manage their integration into classroom practice reflective of their own context and requirements.

The Digital Strategy for Schools 2027, which builds on the progress made under the previous Digital Strategy, is underpinned by an investment of some €200m included in the National Development Plan 2021-2030 providing continuity of funding following the €210m that issued to schools to support the previous strategy. To date, €135m in ICT Grant funding under the Digital Strategy to 2027 has issued to schools from the NDP commitment, including €35m recently announced to issue to schools under the Digital Strategy.

This funding issues directly to schools as schools are best placed to identify the requirements of their own student cohort and to meet those requirements in accordance with their digital learning planning. This can include the purchase of ICT devices such as tablets, hybrid devices, or laptops, and the implementation of loan schemes for same if needed.

Additionally, I recently announced that the funding scheme for post-primary schools in the free education scheme to procure an appropriate phone storage solution to implement the ban on mobile phone usage by students during the school day, is now open for applications. Schools have discretion as to whether their policy will be enabled through a secure mobile phone storage solution, and where a solution is to be used, can apply for funding to procure the solution that best suits their context and requirements. As outlined in the funding circular (0046/2025), such expenditure must be in line with procurement and financial requirements for public funds. This was announced in October 2024 for Budget 2025.

This funding is intended to support positive wellbeing among all pupils and students, helping them to disconnect, learn and engage with their peers without the distractions that can arise from the use of mobile phones.