Department issues tender for phone pouches in secondary schools

The pouches must be durable to sustain the challenges of daily school use; be water resistant, made from non-irritable materials, be portable and light-weight and be lockable to prevent tampering, damage and breakage. File photo: Lea Suzuki/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images

The Department of Education's planned €9m spend on mobile phone pouches for secondary school students has moved a step closer with the issuing of tender documents.

Companies are being asked to compete for the estimated €9m (including VAT) business for the contract for the 'Provision of Secure Mobile Phone Pouches for Students in Post Primary Schools'. The €9m spend turned out be one of the most controversial measures announced in October’s budget.