More than €850k spent on phone pouches in Cork schools

More than €850,000 was spent on the controversial phone pouches scheme across 65 schools in Cork this year, new figures show.

Figures provided to The Echo show that the Government spent €6.4m nationwide this year implementing ‘phone storage’ for students during school hours, across 472 schools.

Earlier this year, the Government allocated €9m for a scheme to help schools store students’ phones in pouches and lockable boxes.

The data shows that €852,675 was spent implementing the initiative across 65 of the 80 eligible schools in Cork.

Fine Gael Cork North Central TD Colm Burke said further steps are now being taken to introduce a new age-verification process for children, which would filter and restrict access to particular online sites.

“Parents are doing their part in trying to protect their children from online dangers like pornography, cyberbullying and harmful algorithms that can lead to exploitation, and recently we’ve seen major strides in online safety, which is a whole-of-Government priority,” said Mr Burke.

He said that a recent Fine Gael Online Safety Survey gathered the views of more than 2,200 parents and guardians across the country, and it found that there is overwhelming support for age limits and verifications.

“This report highlighted the issues and now we want to address them,” he added.

“The government is developing a trusted age-verification tool through the digital wallet to ensure only adults can access adult content.

“The new digital wallet will soon be launched and be used to confirm ages of internet users, making sure platforms like YouTube and Instagram are properly held to account.

“On top of age verification, [the government] has also allocated €6m to schools across the country to help keep them smartphone-free, with 65 schools in Cork benefitting this year.

“We’re supporting safer school environments with mobile-phone restrictions, that will reduce distraction, improve wellbeing and support teachers.

“Safer screens mean secure futures,” he said.

“Significant progress is being made at EU level, including major fines for non-compliance with online safety rules.”