Thomas Gould
Question:320. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of schools in Cork that have availed of the phone pouch scheme; and the overall cost of the scheme in Cork. [40327/26]
View answerThursday, 28 May 2026
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In June 2025, a policy was introduced to restrict students’ access to personal mobile phones during the school day in post-primary schools. In addition, to support schools to implement this policy approach, funding of €9 million was allocated in Budget 2025 for the provision of mobile phone storage solutions for students in post-primary schools.
69 post-primary schools based in Cork city and county received mobile phone storage solutions funding totalling €913,600.
To date, funding to the value of €7.1m has issued to some 519 post-primary schools at the end of 2025, when the application process closed.
While the funding, was primarily for the purchase of secure mobile phone storage solutions, it should be noted that the solution selected is a matter for individual schools, having regard to their own circumstances, enrolment levels, and operational needs.
This fund forms part of a broader suite of measures aimed at supporting student wellbeing, reducing distraction during the school day, and assisting schools in implementing their own mobile phone policies, in line with departmental guidance.