The Tánaiste has challenged a local TD to go back to Donegal parents and schools and ask them do they feel the Government is providing enough support as it relates to phone use in schools.

It comes as phones are banned from being used in primary schools from today.

All schools are required to implement the policy, while secondary schools will have to restrict their usage.

That can be done in a number of ways, including the introduction of phone pouches, which is costing the state 9 million euro.

Speaking in the Dail, Donegal Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty claimed that schools are pleading with the Government to help them keep the lights on and not provide phone pouches: