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must also discuss inequality. Technological change can deepen inequality if governments fail to intervene. We already see worrying divides in access to digital infrastructure, devices and educational opportunity. We know children from disadvantaged backgrounds continue to face barriers their wealthier peers do not. Educational disadvantage still maps

will also apply to Part 6A, which is being inserted by section 10. There is an express provision that states that the recording devices Act is without prejudice to what is in the Data Protection Acts. There are also clear limitations on searching already set out in section … consultation make it a lengthy and detailed process and would further delay the roll-out of what I believe is an essential, necessary digital tool for An Garda. A code may need to be reviewed earlier than the five years and there is nothing preventing this from happening

Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the introduction of digital devices in schools is placing a severe financial burden on families; if she will provide updated guidance to boards of management in this area … will consider a pause on the introduction of digital devices in schools until she commissions an independent review of the impact of digital learning on literacy, retention and equity, noting that many countries are now moving away from digital devices and back to traditional educational methods

Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth her Department’s position on secondary schools requiring parents to purchase iPads or specific digital devices; the steps she will take to ensure that families are not subject to undue financial pressure; and whether she will review digital learning

Youth if she is aware of the significant financial burden being placed on parents by schools requiring students to purchase chromebooks or other digital devices for senior cycle education; if financial supports will be introduced for working families who do not qualify for existing grants or allowances

Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth her views on schools including schools participating in DEIS requiring families to purchase high-cost digital devices. [39517/26

Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth if guidance has been issued to schools regarding procurement models for digital devices, including rental schemes, leasing arrangements, or shared-use models; if schools are permitted to recommend specific suppliers or devices; and the safeguards in place

impact assessment carried out by her Department prior to the introduction of the revised senior cycle programme in relation to students' access to digital devices; if the financial burden on families of providing laptops was considered; and the measures put in place to mitigate this. [39523/26

asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether her Department will issue binding national guidance requiring any post-primary school operating a compulsory digital-device scheme to have a formal device loan scheme, hardship policy and non-exclusion guarantee in place before such a scheme is implemented

Department for parents who believe their child has been disadvantaged, excluded, or pressured due to inability to afford a compulsory laptop or digital device scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39731/26

Digital Strategy for Schools are required to demonstrate that reasonable measures are in place to support students whose families cannot afford personal digital devices [39732/26

number of complaints, representations or queries received by her department in each of the past five years relating to compulsory laptop or digital device purchase schemes in post-primary schools; and the actions taken by the Department in response. [37803/26

Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of primary- and post-primary schools that require students to have a digital device for learning instead of traditional textbooks; the number of these that are DEIS schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter

Guirke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department will consider implementing an updated circular for schools requiring students to use digital devices to ensure that affordability and reusability, particularly between siblings, are accounted for in a universal approach; and if she will make a statement

Gorman asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for an update in relation to the development of the online digital evidence device management storage system allowing members to upload footage of traffic incidents; the implementing timeline on this; the cost; when it is likely

checks and oversight mechanisms in place to ensure that such funding is being used to support student access to digital learning, including the provision of laptops or devices for students whose families cannot afford same; and if she will clarify whether schools are permitted to state that such

Education and Youth the ICT-related funding streams provided to post-primary schools, including digital strategy and technology grants, and to clarify whether such funding may be used to provide devices directly to students who cannot afford compulsory laptop costs. [37800/26