The Government has been accused of "a screeching U-turn" on phone pouches by the Social Democrats.
Speaking after the Tánaiste told the Dáil earlier that €9m for phone pouches can be now be used for other phone storage solutions as well, the Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins said most schools have already dealt with the issue of smartphone usage during school hours.
"The reality for schools is that many of them are so cash-strapped that they are struggling to keep the lights on. A new survey today has revealed that a record number have had to apply to the Department for emergency funding.
"In that context, it is completely tone-deaf for the government to insist that €9m should go on phone storage. Everyone agrees that phones should not be used during the school day, but most schools have already dealt with this as an issue.
"Given phone pouches can be replaced by a teacher putting phones in a cardboard box, and that many schools already have these phone storage solutions in place, the Tánaiste must now clarify if this money is being ringfenced for phone storage alone.
"If that is the case, it just means that a diluted version of the former minister's pet project is continuing, with the government trying to save face by giving schools an illusion of autonomy," Ms Cummins said.
The original tender to provide "secure mobile phone pouches to students in post primary schools," which was published by the Department of Education last January, was cancelled.
The tender valued at €7.3 million, excluding VAT, was halted following advice from the Chief State Solicitor's Office.
The policy was first announced by the Taoiseach Micheál Martin at a Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis and €9 million was allocated for the scheme in the last budget.
The move was widely criticised by opposition parties at the time with Sinn Féin describing it as a "scandalous waste" of public money.
Earlier, the Government said €9 million in funding for mobile phone pouches for secondary schools will now also fund other phone storage solutions.
Tánaiste Simon Harris told the Dáil this will include pouches, lockable boxes and drop and collection at the school office.
"Schools will now be able to apply for funding for what phone storage solution works best for them," he said.
A new central procurement process will be published in the coming days and will be available this autumn, Mr Harris said.
He told Fine Gael TD Frank Feighan that a smart phone ban in primary schools in his hometown of Greystones "was really empowering" and that the approach had really taken off and is "now the norm".
The funding for phone storage is a "pragmatic and sensible" approach aimed at "empowering parents and young people", the Tánaiste said.
He said that he wants to hear young people laughing and talking with each other rather than doom-scrolling.
