We use Google Analytics to see which pages are read and how the site is used, so we know what to improve. This only runs if you accept. See our privacy notice for details.

Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation

Mandatory tablets in schools

Summary

Deputy O'Flynn said some schools were requiring costly tablets, creating heavy expenses for parents despite other supports. The Minister said schools could seek help from the financial support unit and that capitation and funding improvements would continue.

As the Minister may be aware, some schools throughout the country have told parents that they have to buy specific tablets up to the value of approximately €600. Some of these parents have been speaking to me. Those who have three children in secondary school have had to go to credit unions so that they can pay €1,800 for these specific tablets. The schools are sending out the information telling parents that the tablets have to be a certain make, model and particular type of brand. For a lot of people, it is not affordable. This is happening despite the introduction of the free book scheme, which was intended to reduce the financial burden. It seems to be in contradiction of what was described last year when the Government was coming up with €9 million for pouches to reduce screen time. Will the Minister provide some clarification on why this is happening? It is not just happening in one school in Cork; it is happening across the country.

Comment on this

As the Deputy is aware, the Department of education fully appreciates that costs and funding can pose an issue for schools. It is constantly working to address this with enhanced financial supports which were advanced in budget 2025 for this year. Schools in any financial difficulty are asked to engage with the financial support services unit. I know that a priority for the Minister, Deputy McEntee, is to continue to improve the capitation grant in schools, for example. That is something that we worked to improve over series of years and is something that we will engage with over the coming weeks.

Comment on this