Lockable boxes and cubby holes, as well as controversial phone pouches, can be acquired with €9 million in Budget funding.

The figure is based on an estimated 20 per cent replacement rate for the pouches every year.

The Government allocated €9 million in the budget for schools to purchase pouches for pupils’ phones aimed at minimising disruption

Simon Harris said the same scheme is in place in Northern Ireland where Sinn Fein is in the Stormont administration.