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fair and inclusive for all families. I am very conscious that parents can feel under pressure when some schools seek the use of digital devices for learning. That is why, on 25 May, I wrote directly to all schools and made it very clear that there … students' needs before any expectation was placed on parents to purchase devices. I asked schools to carefully consider the financial impact of any digital device arrangements on families. In particular, I asked schools to engage with all parents and not just their parents' associations before making a decision

needs before any expectation was placed on parents ... Using the words "encourage schools" is extremely blasé in that it does not pay for digital devices. Saying to schools "I encourage you to look into not using digital devices" does not pay for those digital devices that are required … issuing guidance on this", without those enforcement mechanisms being put in place, schools can still mandate children to have a personal digital device, which is what they are doing. In relation to the Minister's comment that "decisions about digital devices should be grounded in pedagogy, informed

school year. Those pressures are felt in very practical ways: through the cost of uniforms, transport, classroom materials and, increasingly in some cases, digital devices. The Government recognises those pressures. More importantly, we are acting to reduce them. Our aim is simple: school costs should never stand … child taking part fully in school life. A particular focus of today's debate has been the issue of digital devices in schools. Deputies have raised legitimate concerns about the costs that can arise for families where schools use digital technologies as part of teaching and learning

Limerick from a survey of more than 720 post-primary schools showed that more than three in ten mandated the purchase of digital devices, including 17 per cent of Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS), and that there is a risk of growing inequalities in the education … system; — the Barnardos Back to School 2025 survey showed the average cost of digital devices for second level schools has reached €430, up from €121 in 2022; — since 2015 the Society of St Vincent de Paul has received nearly 3,000 requests for assistance with educational digital devices

device for the junior or senior cycles. That is welcome. However, the Minister then says she appreciates that decisions on the use of digital devices rests with the board of management of each school. This is despite the fact that she acknowledges, in some cases, that families have … been directed by schools towards commercial credit arrangements to meet the cost of buying a digital device for their children. As others have said, no parent wants their child to be without a digital device when others in the class have them. This is mere guidance; it does

introduce non-branded uniform clothing so parents can shop around for the most affordable prices. I previously raised the ongoing issue of digital devices for students in this Chamber. This continues to be a source of concern for many working families and there is no clarity on whether … these devices are mandatory. I have received three responses from the Minister's Department which state there is no requirement for digital devices in junior or senior cycle. The Minister has stated this in the replies and confirmed it to schools as well, yet principals and teachers have

parent should have to worry about whether they can afford a school uniform, a so-called voluntary contribution or, increasingly, an expensive digital device simply to ensure their child can participate fully in class. Digital devices alone cost hundreds of euro - up to €800. The Government insists they … ending restrictive single-supplier arrangements that leave parents paying inflated prices. We would restore funding for ICT and provide proper support for digital devices, so that no child is disadvantaged because his or her family cannot afford expensive technology. We would expand school transport, reverse the reintroduction

thousands of parents, there is another bill waiting on the kitchen table. It is one for hundreds of euro for a digital device. The latest research from the University of Limerick and the ESRI confirms what families and schools have been saying for months now that the Government … families and calling it policy. A child's education should never depend on his or her parents' ability to buy a digital device, and no student should be disadvantaged because they cannot afford the device his or her school requires. If the Government is serious about reducing back

heavier. Now, on top of books, uniforms, transport fees, exam charges and so-called voluntary contributions, families are being told they must purchase digital devices costing €400, €500 and sometimes even more. It is simply outrageous and it is already pushing hard-pressed households … their collars. We know the facts. The ESRI and University of Limerick found that three in ten secondary schools mandate digital devices, including 17% of DEIS schools - the very schools serving families least able to absorb these costs. Barnardos tells us that the average cost of a device

supplier arrangements. We have already called for this in our affordable school uniform Bill. It is bizarre that the State does not fund digital devices. What is the point of free school books when people have to find hundreds of euro to pay for devices? In a country … State will point to the free books scheme. Surely even he can see that has been wiped out by the increasing cost of digital devices. This matter needs to be addressed. A letter from the Minister, however nicely worded, has simply not worked. We are often told that

ESRI and the University of Limerick showed that of more than 720 schools, three in ten required the purchase of a digital device. We really need the Government to take action to address this and to help reduce the numerous costs so many families have to face just … secure a quality education for their children. This digital divide is resulting in a severe and growing level of inequality where so many communities, students and families are unable to purchase the devices they desperately need for their children's education. What we are trying to do with

carried out by Ms Cora Dunne and Dr. Ann Marcus-Quinn. It made a significant contribution to discussions around the introduction of mandatory digital devices in post-primary education. It highlighted parental concerns regarding the cost and compulsory purchase. The roll-out was halted in 2020 with … long-term implications of mandated devices was largely paused rather than fully developed. In 2024, there was another report. Then, there was an OECD report in 2025, which highlighted that Ireland could benefit from a more structured and equity-driven digital education system. The models in France

support money for that. My next point continues on from the digital divide. Some children with disabilities do not have access to digital devices to help them with their learning in school. Their schools might only be granted one or they might only be able to have access

However, the benefit many parents have seen from that has been wiped away by the increasing numbers of schools mandating the purchase of digital devices. We have an absolutely ridiculous situation whereby in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis continuing unabated, the Government has decided

cost families are facing are absolutely bananas, and real action needs to be taken, especially in terms of uniforms but also digital devices. Voluntary contributions are absolutely Dickensian. We have parents fundraising to keep the lights on. Schools do not get enough money to actually

tell you. The Minister indicated that she is very conscious that parents can feel under pressure when some schools seek the use of digital devices for learning. She said that is why she wrote directly to all schools on 25 May and made it very clear that there

Unions and Zurich, are forcing many parents into debt. Added to them are growing digital costs. According to Barnardos, the average cost of digital devices for second level has reached €430. That is up from €221 a couple of years ago. Families are going to be contacting

Instead, it has cut the grant scheme for ICT infrastructure for schools by 30%. It provides no funding for repair and maintenance of digital devices. We have a bit of a cruel joke whereby schoolbooks are being made free, which is great, but on the other hand

leaving certificate curriculum, yet parliamentary questions that I submitted confirmed that there is no departmental requirement for students to have a personal digital device at either junior or leaving certificate level. That contradiction leaves parents and students whom I represent caught in a middle ground. On one hand

trade. It keeps the price down. Alongside these pressures, parents are increasingly faced with the expectation that they provide laptops and other digital devices for their children. While technology is important, why should parents be carrying that cost? Families have benefited from the schoolbooks scheme. We should

policy with regard to ICT use in our schools, there needs to be proper supports to families to access the devices, and we need to end the digital divide and the very blatant inequality emerging to a much greater extent because of access to ICT devices

quid. Some parents are now having to pay hundreds of euro for devices if their children are to just fully participate in school. As this motion states, we are at risk of creating a digital divide and new inequalities in our education system unless we put further supports

have these devices, instead of saying they are not mandatory, we should ensure everybody is on a level playing field as we head into the 2026-2027 school year. That is the way we should be looking at it. In many schools, there is a digital divide, which

digital society. Economic leadership in the 21st century requires absolute resilience in our physical and regulatory infrastructure. Our Presidency will advance work on digital networks, focusing critical investments on subsea telecom connectivity and the security of subsea cables. We will work to create an innovation-friendly regulatory environment … secondary concern but a central contributor to Europe's technological leadership. Accordingly, we will prioritise and advance vital legislation on biotechnology and medical devices, driving the long-term innovation, resilience and competitiveness of this indispensable sector. We will also continue to advocate, as I have in recent months

Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware of the increased use of digital devices in secondary schools and the associated growing digital divide (details supplied); the measures she is taking to address this; and if she will make a statement

Youth if her Department has conducted an audit of recognised post-primary schools that require students to purchase or lease a laptop or digital device; whether there is any Department regulation or policy that permits or requires schools to make the purchase of a laptop mandatory

Department has undertaken any research or assessment of the financial impact on families arising from schools requiring students to purchase laptops or digital devices, including the costs of purchase, insurance, repairs and replacement; whether this has been compared with the savings arising from the free schoolbooks scheme

Education and Youth the grants or financial assistance are available to assist low- and middle-income families with the purchase of laptops or digital devices where these are required by post-primary schools; if she intends to introduce such a scheme; and if she will make a statement

scheme on the overall back-to-school costs faced by families, including whether savings on books have been offset by increasing expenditure on digital devices and other school-related costs [55009/26

will review the correspondence (details supplied); the policy position regarding the requirement for secondary school students to purchase personal devices such as tablets as part of the Digital Strategy for Schools; if she will address the financial burden this places on families, particularly those who are also availing