The Department of Education is considering whether to make State funding available to fee-charging secondary schools under its mobile-phone storage scheme, after a significant portion of the allocated budget remains unspent.
Just under €6.5 million has so far been paid to 472 non fee-charging post-primary schools. This leaves almost €2.5m of the €9m allocated as yet unspent.
A further eight schools are awaiting payment.
The grant, worth €25 per student, is intended to support schools in restricting student access to smartphones during the school day through the use of secure storage systems such as lockable or magnetic pouches.
The scheme, which closed for applications on 28 November, was aimed primarily at schools in the non-fee-charging sector. But the latest figures show that 190 eligible schools in that sector did not apply.
Eighteen fee-charging schools also submitted applications.
The department said these applications are being "considered on a case-by-case basis once all Free Education Scheme applications have been processed".
Earlier guidance stated that any application from a fee-charging school must include a rationale explaining why State support is required.
No applications have been rejected to date.
The decision to allocate €9m to fund mobile phone "storage solutions" was initially controversial, with school leaders among those complaining that the money would be better spent addressing a range of education needs they said were far more pressing.
The department said final figures on uptake and distribution will be available at the end of the month.
While the official closing date may have passed, there are indications from the department that it is still open to approaches from schools.
