Sinn Féin claims Minister for Education 'extensively lobbied' by school phone pouch company

During Leaders' Questions, Sinn Féin's Pearse Doherty claimed Minister for Education Norma Foley had been 'lobbied' by Yondr, a company that provides school phone pouches.

In October, the Tánaiste defended spending €9 million spend on pouches for phones in schools and treatment delays for children with scoliosis.

It came amid criticism of the long waiting times for scoliosis surgery by families and advocates.

Minister Martin said capacity - rather than funding - is the issue for children waiting for scoliosis treatment.

“Children can’t wait so, if we don’t have the necessary capacity here, we then need to source it elsewhere,” he said.

“I know that can be difficult for the families - I don’t underestimate for the families who have to go abroad that can be very difficult and traumatic in itself.

“If it means getting the surgery done at the highest level and the highest standard - and follow up as part of that package, then I think that’s the way to go.”

One teacher described the €9 million sum as “slightly excessive” but Education Minister Norma Foley said it would improve children’s mental health and academic performance.

“All the evidence tells us, whether it’s in Belgium or Spain, the education outcomes improved when phones were banned in schools,” she said.

“And I have to say, the issue of mobile phones is raised with me by an enormous number of parents.”

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