298. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will report on the outcome of the DEIS Connect initiative in a school (details supplied); if this scheme has been rolled out to other schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52948/26]

The DEIS Connect Project in St Kevin's Community College receives funding through Dublin and Dun Laoghaire ETB (Digital Connect and DEIS Connect Initiatives) and their partnerships with Microsoft, Power2Progress (UCD/Zurich), Digital Wealth Project (ReThink Ireland), Clondalkin Access Network, St. Vincent de Paul and the Trinity Access Programme.

As such, choices regarding educational materials, textbooks and other educational products, as well as digital and online services, are made by individual schools and their boards of management, not by the Department. In general, it is the current policy of the Department of Education and Youth not to endorse publications, products or services from individual, commercial or other providers and to allow schools and teachers to determine the most appropriate materials for their students. The only requirement from the Department, on any resource used in a school, is that it supports the delivery of the curriculum.

I recently communicated directly with all schools and boards of management, clarifying the department's position that there is no requirement for a personal device for junior or leaving cert and requested schools to be cognisant of the views of parents in relation to the use of digital devices and the associated costs.

Department guidance states that schools should support equitable access to ICT for all students and may provide devices on loan to students, including through device lending schemes, where required. Schools are also advised to consult with parents and the wider school community when developing technology policies that may involve costs for families. However, there is no dedicated funding stream for one-to-one student devices. Schools have flexibility to use their ICT grants to meet local priorities, including infrastructure, maintenance and device provision, within available resources.