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landing every August for families who send their children to school. That bill is an ICT bill. It is a bill for a laptop. Incredibly, the Government introduced free books last year but has this year introduced what is effectively mandatory ICT at a cost that is significantly … higher than the books ever were. Many families have contacted me and outlined bills of €1,000 for a laptop. The same families came into my office and showed me second-hand laptops that they already owned but that the school principals and authorities said could

dedicated funding for repair or maintenance; and — manufacturers have warned that the shortage of memory chips will lead to significant price increases for laptops and tablets; further notes on school costs that: — The Zurich Cost of Education in Ireland 2026 survey, shows an annual cost to parents … that: — the Minister for Education and Youth has written to all schools noting that they cannot make it mandatory for pupils to purchase laptops or tablets, but there is no enforcement of this guidance; — there is still no ban on voluntary contributions forcing parents to have to fund

free books. However, another cost that has been placed on parents trying to get their kids back to secondary school is really expensive laptops for each child. Laptops cost from €500 to €700 and even more, and every child who starts secondary school - in the schools … system has put another burden on top of that. If you have a couple of children in school, and children are children so laptops break, there will be quite an expensive run on laptops every few years. Will there be research into screen time and using laptops

Labour Party is clear that free education means free. It does not mean voluntary contributions, State examination fees or €700-plus on laptops or tablets. Uniform costs are putting financial pressure on working families who, in most cases, do not qualify for the back-to-school clothing … parliamentary question to which the Minister replied, "There is no requirement currently under the new subject specifications for students to have their own laptops or devices; or devices of a particular type." This is extremely confusing for many school communities and parents who are having to bear

more parents have an additional cost on top of this, as many schools now require them to purchase ICT equipment, such as laptops, for their children. During the summer months, many parents contacted me outlining the significant cost they are facing because the school requires them to purchase … laptop for their child or children for the upcoming school year. Parents were in touch with me who had to pay up to €1,000 between the cost of the device and the insurance to go with it. That has a massive impact on families who have

roll-out of free schoolbooks. That made a big difference for a lot of families. However, the increasing frequency with which laptops and tablets are being made mandatory for students is seriously undermining that progress. In many cases, the cost of ICT equipment is ending up being greater … touch with me recently to outline how more than half of her back-to-school costs for this year relate to a mandatory laptop that is going to cost over €700. Parents have been told by the school in question that these laptops will only be used

postman's knock. When they get the criteria for what is needed for their children to start the school year, those include €700 laptops, €600 iPads, tablets or something of that format as well as signing up to a Microsoft programme that has been selected. Despite your household … proper reply from the Taoiseach. We have heard the ministerial circular that went around saying that people do not have to use laptops. Every one of us knows from our own constituencies that laptops, iPads and tablets are being used regularly by order of boards of management

provided by the Department of education for schools. Having been a teacher in two schools, I recognise that these tablets and these laptops that are provided to schools break and that maintenance for them is coming out of capitation grants that cannot be fulfilled by the schools because … they are using capitation grants elsewhere. If we had a ring-fenced maintenance fund for these laptops and tablets, it would provide the necessary funding to be able to maintain them. As regards the Minister's reply, guidance to schools is not enforcement to schools. As regards providing

member of society and not have to rely on technology. Now more than ever, students are forced to rely on technology such as laptops, tablets and other devices in order to fulfil the basic requirements of their school education. If a student does not have access … exponentially in price, the last thing families need is another cost to deal with and that is the cost of these tablets or laptop devices. A study by the ESRI and the University of Limerick showed that of more than 720 schools, three in ten required the purchase

divide. The digital divide has been seen from Covid time, in particular. My own project in Ballymun, the anseo school completion programme, provided laptops and broadband. I know people still do not believe me that we provided broadband to families but we did because they did not have … families around the country. There is a growing divide even though the Minister is saying that children and young people do not need laptops. However, there is an advantage if their family can buy them one and they can continue their school work at home

staggering and are rising each year. We need to have some analysis on whether it is good for children to be using iPads, laptops and so on. The Department of education has gone all-in on so-called ed tech without much real scrutiny of whether … technology. The one issue I have with the motion is the idea that there should be a loan scheme for parents to buy laptops or iPads for their children. We are supposed to have free primary and secondary education in this country. I know we are a long

secondary school, which has such a high level of assessment, 40% in many cases, that school principals have decided that students need laptops. It is because of the new syllabus the Department has introduced. There was a very good article by the RTÉ education correspondent on this … children to be on screens. There is loads of scientific evidence that it is not good. Certainly, older children and teenagers need laptops or access to computers in order do assessments and assignments and to have a fair chance, which they do not have, in this education system

facing a stack of fees and expenses in respect of uniforms, increased school transport costs, school stationery, so-called voluntary contributions, and laptops and IT equipment. In addition, State exam fees are back. Surveys show that the total cost per school year can accumulate … motion regarding the introduction of enforceable guidelines for schools and the fact that some schools have a mandatory requirement in respect of laptops and IT equipment, it is important that these be mandated as opposed to just the subject of a letter that was sent out. We also

uniforms, books, transport and school activities. Many families are being told that they must now spend hundreds of euro on a Chromebook, laptop or other digital asset, and it is still not something that they can afford. Over recent weeks, one parent told me that their school insisted … applied consistently across Ireland, as parents deserve clarity and no young people should feel excluded from education because of the cost of a laptop

spice of 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 … assist families in purchasing this expensive and necessary equipment. The point has been made earlier that they are on their laptops all day in school and then they go home and are on social media all night. It is not good for the holistic development of the children

still have voluntary contributions that are not that voluntary. We have exorbitant school uniform costs. Schools now ask children to have €500 laptops and tablet devices. Many schools are begging parents to partake in fundraisers every year, placing another burden on parents. However, this is not the school … secondary and primary schools are both receiving free books. However, we're seeing an increase in people looking for help to buy technology, laptops and tablets. The books are free but now many schools are expecting students to have devices, which is quite a big expense for parents

absolutely not. In the middle of August, a very distressed and deeply upset mother came to me about the price of a laptop for the school where her child was going into first year. The cost of the laptop was €500. She could not pay it. I considered

allocated an amount per student. Schools, in conjunction with parents, are responsible for decisions on the use of digital technology, including tablet devices, laptops and learning platforms, and how best to manage their integration into classroom practice, reflective of their own context and requirements. Under the Education … offers advice and supports to schools on digital learning. Advice sheets are available on digital technology in education, including on the adoption of laptops and tablets in schools. The digital strategy for schools to 2027, and its associated implementation plan, is underpinned by funding of €200 million over

down to the Rediscovery Centre in Ballymun because it is really good. Look at the amount of washing machines, cookers, microwaves, lawnmowers and laptops. There are a lot of laptops now that cannot be reused because of the software that is in them. I saw some figures that

repair conditions and services should be provided with products. I acknowledge that in this Bill's provisions apply to certain products like laptops and washing machines but I welcome the Deputies' inclusion of ministerial discretion in applying the provisions to more products. I encourage the Minister … proliferation of planned obsolescence is one of the key contributing factors. We see a lot of it with products like cars, laptops and phones. It is particularly frustrating with phones because often it is a software issue. The phone itself might be fine structurally but with iPhones

south, in tents that held off neither the summer heat nor the winter cold, chasing every charging point for a borrowed Laptop with a cracked screen and any signal steady enough to reach the world, and after close to three years of applying, University College Dublin gave

rest of it, yet the Government has dictated that most schools will now have to pay, on average, €600 per student for laptops and iPads. They have to sign up to packages. People are struggling continuously, and the Government has done nothing when it comes to kerosene

digital learning planning. Schools, in consultation with all parents, are responsible for decisions on the use of digital technology, including tablet devices, laptops and learning platforms, and how best to manage their integration into classroom practice, reflective of their own context and requirements. As mentioned, schools have been

evidence encountered in the course of investigations can be accessed and used. The Bill is not simply about phone messages. It also covers laptops and other digital storage devices that may contain evidence critical to prosecutions, including in cases involving child sexual abuse material. Ensuring lawful and timely

react to such a variety of situations and challenges daily. Much of the evidence required in investigations is now stored on phones, laptops and online systems. Criminal gangs are increasingly sophisticated and often operate across multiple jurisdictions. It is therefore essential that An Garda Síochána has modern powers

asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware that some schools are making it mandatory for pupils to purchase new laptops at a cost of €500-€1,000; if there is a procurement process to identify suppliers of the laptops in such cases … Department provides funding to support such initiatives in schools; the measures in place to assist low income parents to purchase laptops in such circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25761/26

Education and 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

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Youth her Department’s position on the mandatory purchase and use of laptops by students at post primary level; if she is aware that schools impose late fees in some cases where the full and significant cost … laptop has not been paid within a particular timeframe; her views on whether this is acceptable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51729/26

Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Youth the financial supports available to parents to assist with the purchase of school laptops for their children attending secondary school, if she recognises that the cost of these laptops is a great burden on parents already hard pressed

Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Education and Youth the grants available to parents for the purchase of laptops for students given the increasing adoption of modern technologies in teaching methods; whether funding is being made available to schools for the purchase of laptops

Youth if her 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

Minister for 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

asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of schools that have informed her Department that they require one-to-one student laptops. [55010/26

Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Youth the steps being taken to tackle the increasing number of schools mandating students to purchase laptops or tablets from single-vendor suppliers; if she accepts that this additional cost is placing a significant burden on families; and if she will

Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 331 and 332 of 30 June 2026, her Department's policy on the use of laptops and chromebooks in post-primary schools; whether schools may require parents to purchase a particular device where her Department does not make such devices

Question Nos. 331 and 332 of 30 June 2026, whether schools are required to follow public procurement rules when selecting a supplier of laptops or chromebooks for students; whether her Department provides guidance to schools on this process; and if she will make a statement on the matter

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Youth the financial supports in place to meet the cost of purchasing mandatory laptops for students at post primary level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51730/26

Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Education and Youth to clarify if digital devices such as laptops and tablets are required in order for senior cycle students to complete additional assessment components as part of the Leaving Certificate; and if she will make a statement

responded yes or no to the question "Are parents of children in your school asked to purchase or provide digital devices (tablet or laptop computer)" included in the School Data Collection Survey in the 2024/25 and 2025/26 academic years; and if she will make a statement

Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his views on the application of a 0% VAT rate to laptops and tablets required for educational purposes, specifically and uniquely programmed for same (details supplied); if he has engaged with the European Commission regarding the possibility

Minister for Education and Youth her position on the increasing practice in post-primary schools of requiring students to purchase a personal laptop as part of their education; if such a requirement is mandated, recommended, or optional under Department policy; and if she will make a statement

Education and Youth if any element of the junior certificate cycle or leaving certificate curriculum requires students to have access to a personal laptop outside of school; if project work associated with the revised senior cycle programmes can be fully completed using existing school information technology facilities

multiple subjects; the way she intends to address concerns that this has created an expectation that students must have access to a personal laptop; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39522/26

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

demands arising from the revised senior cycle programme; and if such supports are intended to remove the need for families to purchase personal laptops. [39524/26

asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department considers it necessary for each post-primary student to have their own personal laptop in order to fully participate in the revised senior cycle programme; and if not, the alternative arrangements that should be in place within schools

Minister for Education and Youth whether her Department has assessed the number of students nationally whose parents have been required to purchase laptops or tablets for post-primary education in each of the past five years; whether any estimate exists of the average annual cost imposed on families

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether her Department has examined whether compulsory laptop or tablet purchase schemes in post-primary schools are consistent with the principle of free post-primary education; whether any legal advice has been sought on the matter

exists within her 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

Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware that the cost of laptops quoted to parents by their child's secondary school often varies greatly from school to school; if her Department has issued guidelines for schools to follow in securing