Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 June 2026
363. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated first year and full year cost of a device allowance for schoolchildren whose schools are using tablets to the value of €1,000 per student allocated according to the same means test as the medical card. [46602/26]
View answerMatters relating to devices in schools is the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Education and Youth. Minister Naughton is keenly aware of the challenges faced by educators and parents in relation to the costs of digital technology, including tablets and her department continues to work to help support schools and families with these costs.
Minister Naughton announced a €35 million investment in schools for ICT infrastructure from January 2026. This €35 million in ICT grant funding represents the fourth tranche of ICT funding under the Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 and builds on the €210 million already allocated under the previous Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020 Enhancing Teaching Learning and Assessment and the €135 million that has issued to date under the current strategy.
This funding issues directly to schools, as schools are best placed to identify the requirements of their own student cohort and to meet those requirements in accordance with their digital learning planning. This can include the purchase of ICT devices such as tablets or laptops, and the implementation of loan schemes for same if needed. Accordingly, I have no plans to change the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance scheme to include a specific device payment.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
