MINISTER FOR MEDIA Patrick O’Donovan will today brief Cabinet on a plan to introduce an age-verification tool to protect children on the internet.

The tool, which is aimed at ensuring that only adults can access pornography and similar content, is set to be piloted through a ‘digital wallet’ and is expected to be up and running early next year.

It comes as part of an increased focus by the government on online safety this week, with government ministers also set to be updated on measures taken by schools, including curriculum supports and digital citizenship initiatives. 

Cabinet will also be updated on mobile phone ‘storage solutions’ that were rolled out in schools via government funding announced in last year’s Budget. 

The announcement of €9m being ringfenced for schools to buy lockable pouches for students’ phones caused huge controversy when it was announced by the former Education Minister Norma Foley in 2024. 

The plan was subsequently updated to allow for schools to purchase whatever “phone storage solution works best for them”.

It is understood that over €6m of the €9m fund has been drawn down by more than 470 of the 670 plus eligible schools to date. 

Right to be cared for at home

Separately, Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill will bring a proposal to Cabinet today, which will lead to the establishment of a statutory homecare scheme to allow people to stay in their own home for as long as possible.

Government sources have described the legislation as a significant as it will pave the way for ­people to have a legal right to be cared for in their own home.

Under the plan, HIQA will be resourced to undertake statutory regulation of the home care sector and ensure that those who provide home-care support are licensed and registered, and that the highest standards are applied.

Cabinet will also be asked to approve a national policy framework for adult safeguarding in the health and social care sector.