Ciara Kelly: Mobile phone pouches in schools won't solve our children's problems. Harmful content is accessed in bedrooms not classrooms

Many are questioning the €9m spent on mobile phone pouches, highlighting it as yet another instance of poor value for money in the public sector. A recent online poll showed that 95% of respondents believe parents, not taxpayers, should cover this cost, reflecting a widespread sentiment that this expenditure does not address the deeper issues surrounding children's use of phones. While I recognize this sum is minor in the context of the overall Government expenditure, it points to systemic inefficiencies.

The public outrage surrounding the €9m mobile phone pouch expenditure underscores a more significant concern regarding governmental allocation of resources. While this particular amount may seem trivial compared to Budget 2025's total, the lack of thoughtful solutions regarding children's mobile phone usage indicates a fundamental flaw in addressing public needs. Instead of merely focusing on accessory expenditures, we should aim for comprehensive strategies that effectively manage children's interactions with technology.

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