{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/67c5d757b48a8f157c1f9076/69fc613713990e6fae64ad0b?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Benefit of Free Schoolbooks \"Wiped Out\" as Families Hit With €750 iPad Bills, Says Meath TD - 07/05/2026","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/67c5d757b48a8f157c1f9076/1778147373976-e4b9dfd1-53f4-461d-80cb-e231f52f5eac.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>This morning on The Agenda we discsussed the growing debate around the cost of digital devices in Irish schools.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Sinn Féin’s TD for Meath-East and Education spokesperson, Darren O’Rourke, has criticised the Government’s approach to technology in classrooms, saying parents are being left with huge bills for compulsory iPads and tablets.</p><p><br></p><p>According to Deputy O’Rourke, some families are being asked to pay as much as €750 per child for devices, despite the introduction of the free schoolbooks scheme, which was intended to reduce the overall cost of education.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>He says many parents are contacting his office struggling to meet the expense, particularly households with more than one child in secondary school.</p><p><br></p><p>Deputy O’Rourke joined us to us some more about this.</p><p><br></p><p>We also got the latest on the situation with the house in Stamullen which was earmarked for asylum seekers. </p><p><br></p><p><br></p>","author_name":"lmfm "}