In a surprising turn of events, Taoiseach Simon Harris defended the inclusion of phone pouches for post-primary school students in Budget 2025, despite criticism from Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald. The ‘Keeping Childhood Smartphone Free’ proposal has sparked debate, with Minister for Education Norma Foley standing behind the initiative as a positive step.
Harris refuted claims that no one wanted the pouches, highlighting the success of similar programs in schools. He pointed out that the cost per student was significantly lower than in Northern Ireland, where a similar scheme was implemented.
The Taoiseach emphasized that schools have the option to participate in the program and are not obligated to use the pouches. He stressed the importance of providing schools with resources for mobile phone safety, noting the dedicated fund available for this purpose.
Harris addressed critics, stating that the cost of the pouches is minimal compared to the overall budget and that schools have the flexibility to allocate funds as they see fit. He dismissed the comparison between phone pouches and major infrastructure projects, underscoring the need for discretion in school decision-making.
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