Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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980. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will address the queries raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46650/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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In June of this year the Department issued a circular to post-primary schools (circular 0045/2025) informing them that they are required to implement a policy to restrict the use of, and access to, personal mobile phones by students for the duration of the school day. This policy is intended to support schools in improving the learning environment in schools by reducing distraction, reducing the risk of cyberbullying and access to inappropriate content during school hours, and, increasing traditional social interactions between pupils and students at school break times.

A key feature of the guidance is the requirement for all schools to develop their policy in consultation with the school community — including parents, students, teaching and non-teaching staff. This collaborative approach ensures that each school’s policy reflects local needs while supporting a national goal: reducing students' exposure to harmful online content and enabling them to disengage from their phones during school hours. A similar circular regarding mobile phone use issued to primary schools.

The Department approach to mobile phone restrictions in schools has been informed by ongoing research in the area. This includes the UNESCO Global Education Monitoring Report “Technology in Education a tool on whose terms”, and the Norwegian Screen Use Committee Report on the impact of the use of mobile phones during the school day on wellbeing and academic performance. Relevant research will continue to inform Department policy and resources in this area.

Cineáltas: Action Plan on Bullying, the Department of Education and Youth’s whole-education approach to preventing and addressing bullying behaviour in schools, was published in 2022. Cineáltas is dedicated to preventing and addressing bullying behaviour including cyber bullying, racist bullying, gender identity bullying and sexual harassment, among other areas, in schools. It is centred on a child rights-based approach and provides a collective vision and clear roadmap for how the whole education community and society can work together to prevent and address bullying behaviour in our schools.

Updated procedures for schools published in June 2024 take account of gender identity bullying, cyberbullying, racist bullying, sexist bullying, and sexual harassment. Under the updated procedures, all incidents of bullying behaviour must be recorded. At each meeting of the Board of Management, the principal must also present an update on the number of incidents of bullying behaviour and the measures taken to prevent and address bullying behaviour. Cineáltas also contains an action to progress the development of a national database to facilitate an annual national report on bullying behaviour in schools.

Online safety and the safe and ethical use of digital technologies is a key component of the Department’s Digital Strategy for Schools, with support and resources in the area of online safety and digital citizenship provided by Webwise. Webwise is the Irish Internet Safety Awareness Centre, and provides free information, advice and resources for schools, families and young people on online safety and digital citizenship.

Webwise is funded by the Department of Education and Youth and co-funded through the European Commission and is part of the Irish Safer Internet Centre. The Irish Safer Internet Centre is a partnership of four leading organisations – , , and - with a mission to make the Internet a better place for children and young people under the coordination of the Department of Justice.

Over the latest EU funding period, which covers the 18 months from July 2024 to December 2025, EU funding of €263,000 has been allocated to Webwise. In addition, the Department has provided funding of approx. €265,000 per year to Webwise over the last three years.

A national public health campaign would not fall with the remit of the Department of Education and Youth. However, Webwise will continue to develop national awareness campaigns to promote online safety. A campaign is currently underway that will run for the month of September. The campaign is a multi-platform awareness initiative designed to reach students, parents, and educators nationwide.