School Phone Ban Overshadowed By Claims Of Government "Face-Saving"

Friday, 13 June 2025 08:56

By Martin Osborne

The money can now be used for lockable boxes or cubbies, or drop off and collection at the school office.

From today, primary schools are required to implement a policy banning the use of phones.

Secondary schools will have a restrictive phone-use policy for the duration of the school day, which they'll develop in consultation with students, parents and staff.

It follows controversy over the designation of nine million euro for phone pouches.

The money can now be used for lockable boxes or cubbies, or drop off and collection at the school office.

Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins said the government's plan to allocate €9 million for phone storage is "tone-deaf".

She said most schools have already addressed phone use with low-cost solutions like boxes or pouches.

She has questioned if the funds are strictly for storage and suggested that the move is a continuation of a former minister's "pet project", with "the government trying to save face by giving schools an illusion of autonomy".

Education Minister Helen McEntee, is defending the spending.

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