Search the record

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

leaving certificate. The Minister requested schools to be cognisant of the view of all parents in relation to the use of digital devices and the associated costs and set out the need for schools to engage with all parents, and not just the parents' association, before deciding … critical thinking and to enhance collaborative learning. It is not merely about replacing physical textbooks and resources with digital versions accessed via a digital device. The Department commissioned OECD research on the impact of digital technologies on student learning and this was published in September last year. This

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

that €54 million would be needed from so-called voluntary contributions to subsidise so-called free education. Parents also face new expenses for digital devices. The Minister of State will be aware that one in four secondary schools have moved to using digital devices rather than traditional textbooks … digital device costs an average of €430 per child. Some parents who cannot afford to pay for the device up-front then pay what the Society of St. Vincent de Paul has dubbed a poverty premium as instalment payments can add up to a higher price. This

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

thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this issue. I am raising the issue of the cost many parents are faced with for digital devices like iPads, tablets and laptops when schools move to a one-to-one digital device policy. It is happening quite a lot and comes … point towards Government investment in ICT in schools generally. They point towards the role of the board of management in developing digital learning policies, whether these devices are introduced or not, how the ICT funding is used and the need for consultation before any change in policy

equitable. The Minister of State mentioned that the Minister has communicated with schools. She wrote a letter to schools about the use of digital devices. That is not good enough because it has not made any meaningful difference. As I said earlier, guidance without enforcement simply … review of the roll-out of the devices. The Government should restore the funding for ICT and provide proper support for schools for digital devices so that no child will be disadvantaged because they cannot afford expensive technology. Otherwise, we are going to continue seeing parents being

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

secondary students. More than half of parents have gone into debt to meet these costs. It is not just uniforms; it is books, digital devices, transport and the voluntary contributions that are anything but voluntary. I have spoken to parents in my constituency clinics this year … paying hundreds of euro for a single digital device because their child's school has moved away from textbooks. Families with two or three children simply cannot keep up. Others are paying for fuel or taxis because they are excluded from the school transport scheme - a scheme that

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

under judicially approved search warrants. In organised crime investigations, gardaí increasingly encounter sophisticated technology. Recent cases have involved satellite phones, GPS devices, radios and other digital equipment, all of which can be central to co-ordinating criminal enterprises. Criminals use such technology to conceal and facilitate serious offences … 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 access to such evidence

impossible financial burden on some parents; the measures she is taking to support parents and students who are unable to afford digital devices in one-to-one digital schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40113/25

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

regulate this is a dereliction of its duty. The Government is insisting that devices are not needed and not mandatory but guidance without enforcement does not offer any comfort at all. The resulting growing digital divide risks creating a two-tier education system where a family's income … families do not continue to struggle every year as the return to school comes around, particularly in respect of the cost of these digital devices

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

broadly welcome the passage of the Bill through the Seanad. It takes the long-overdue step of streamlining stop-and-search procedures, digital device warrants and integrating the European Union's human rights directives into our domestic laws. However, during the Seanad debates Senator McDowell warned, for example

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's fault … said, to demand voluntary contributions, to charge for uniforms and exam papers and, increasingly, as has been mentioned, to require expensive digital devices, such as tablets and iPads. This is not free education. Making the clothing and footwear allowance universal would come at a cost of €250 million

cake sales to cover basic running costs like heating, electricity and insurance. Likewise, families are now crucified with the cost of digital devices. The Minister's response was to write a letter. Sinn Féin proposed real solutions such as increases to capitation grants, ancillary and ICT grants - nothing

families are spending over €1,100 getting a child ready for school, and 57% of secondary school parents are facing a bill for digital devices with an average cost of €447. When a child finishes school and might go to third level, those costs do not disappear. Research

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

Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if schools who require a student to have a digital device can prohibit students who cannot afford a digital device from accessing their school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21448/26

Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will review the increasing use of digital devices in secondary schools from an educational outcome's perspective and a cost to parents/guardians perspective given the move away from digital devices in some countries. [74818/26

impossible financial burden on some parents; the measures she is taking to support parents and students who are unable to afford digital devices in one-to-one digital schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40113/25

Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth if there are plans to fund the purchase of digital devices for students at risk of digital exclusion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25141/25

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

Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Youth her Department’s position on secondary schools requiring parents to purchase iPads or specific digital devices, particularly in light of the roll-out of the free schoolbooks scheme; the guidance or oversight her Department provides to ensure that families … pressure due to school-imposed digital learning policies; if she will consider conducting a review of digital learning policies in secondary schools where families are required to purchase iPads or similar devices; if her Department will explore providing funding or subsidies to support families in these cases, especially

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education her Department’s position on secondary schools requiring parents to purchase iPads or specific digital devices, particularly in light of the roll-out of the free schoolbooks scheme; the guidance or oversight her Department provides to ensure that families … pressure due to school-imposed digital learning policies; if she will consider conducting a review of digital learning policies in secondary schools where families are required to purchase iPads or similar devices; if her Department will explore providing funding or subsidies to support families in these cases, especially

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

financial pressure this places on families; if she will consider implementing a more centralised approach to both the procurement and the provision of digital devices and necessary ICT systems in schools, similar to that which applies for schoolbooks; and if she will make a statement on the matter

multiple retailers and that exclusive supply arrangements should be regularly tendered; and, given her confirmation that there is no requirement for a personal digital device for junior or senior cycle, the reason individual schools are permitted to require parents to purchase such devices. [71929/26

Department will begin to collect data on the total cost of sending a child to school, including voluntary contributions, uniforms, books and digital devices, given that this data is not currently collected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65401/26

Department will begin to collect data on the total cost of sending a child to school, including voluntary contributions, uniforms, books and digital devices, given that this data is not currently collected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65400/26

Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 526 of 28 April 2026, to provide a list of the frameworks of providers of digital devices recommended to schools. [65042/26

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

Education and Youth if her attention has been drawn to reports that some secondary schools require senior cycle students to purchase specified digital devices from a designated supplier; the guidance, if any, issued by her Department to schools regarding such arrangements; whether schools may restrict

Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the oversight arrangements in place in relation to agreements between schools and suppliers of digital devices for students; the supports available to assist families with the cost of such devices; and if she will make a statement

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

post-primary schools that 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

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