Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2026
303. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for 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 mandatory; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53054/26]
View answerAs the deputy is aware in May, I have communicated directly with all schools and boards of management, clarifying the department's position that there is no requirement for a personal device for junior or leaving cert and I requested schools to be cognisant of the views of parents in relation to the use of digital devices and the associated costs. Also, I stressed the need for schools to engage with all parents - and not just the Parent's Association - before deciding on an approach regarding devices. Engagement with educational stakeholders on this matter will continue.
Department guidance states that schools should support equitable access to ICT for all students and may provide devices on loan to students, including through device lending schemes, where required. Schools are also advised to consult with parents and the wider school community when developing technology policies that may involve costs for families. However, there is no dedicated funding stream for one-to-one student devices. Schools have flexibility to use their ICT grants to meet local priorities, including infrastructure, maintenance and device provision, within available resources.
My department recognises the important role that digital technologies can play in supporting teaching, learning and assessment in post-primary schools. However,under the Education Act, the Boards of Management of Schools have responsibility for the day-to-day management of schools. Decisions regarding the use and deployment of digital technology in schools is therefore a matter for the Board of Management of each school in the context of their digital learning planning. Schools are advised to consult with members of the school community including parents when planning for the introduction of digital technologies including devices with cost and other implications being fully considered by the Boards of Management before a decision is made.
The Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027, does not mandate or prescribe a policy of one-to-one devices in schools, and all schools are funded fairly and transparently to provide infrastructure in accordance with their digital learning plan, regardless of the particular approach chosen. The intention of the strategy is for the deeper embedding and use of digital technologies in teaching and learning, to develop digital competence and literacy among students, fostering critical thinking and collaborative learning. It is not merely concerned with replacing physical texts with online material, for example.
Through the digital strategy, schools are directly funded for ICT and have autonomy to determine which infrastructure and devices (including tablets or laptops) are implemented, in line with their Digital Learning Plans. Schools must also have acceptable usage policies in place and may use ICT funding to support new curricula and assessment.
Under the Digital Strategy, some €200 million has been committed through the National Development Plan for school ICT, with around €170 million already allocated to schools. The most recent tranche of the ICT Grant €35 million which issued to schools in January 2026. Funding is provided through annual ICT grants based on a flat-rate per school and a per-student amount, and must be used for ICT infrastructure, including networks, classroom technology, software and shared student devices. To provide certainty for schools, the ICT grant payment timeline has been standardised, with payments now scheduled for the December/January period each year.
