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Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins will tomorrow introduce the School Meals Nutritional Standards Bill 2026. Deputy Cummins said: “This Bill is about ensuring that every child who receives a school meal through a State-funded scheme can be confident that the food provided meets clear, evidence-based nutritional standards. “The expansion of the Hot School Meals […]

There must be clarity and protection provided to the staff and students of Carlow College who are facing uncertainty, according to the Social Democrats’ Patricia Stephenson and Jen Cummins. Carlow Kilkenny-based Senator Patricia Stephenson said: “The closure of Carlow College marks the end of an era for Carlow. The institution has shaped generations of students, […]

The Government’s chaotic application process for the School Summer Programme – formerly known as July Provision – has caused needless stress and anxiety for parents of children with additional needs, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins, who is the party’s education spokesperson, said: “The Department of Education’s handling of the Summer Programme […]

Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins has welcomed today’s plan to professionalise the role of Special Needs Assistants, but notes that this is long overdue. Deputy Cummins said: “The new Workforce Development Plan and revised SNA contract announced today are the culmination of years of essential work by SNAs and intense negotiations by Forsa. “While […]

Schools should not be insisting on students wearing expensive branded uniforms in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “There have been fresh warnings from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) about the burden placed on parents having to buy expensive branded uniforms from […]

The Minister for Education’s call for schools to ease the financial burden on parents is tone deaf and ignores the financial reality facing schools across the country, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “Education Minister Hildegarde Naughton’s suggestion that schools should sort out their own policies on pupil laptops is […]

The Minister for Education must publish the number of children currently awaiting special education school places, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “The Department of Education should work with the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) to make the figures publicly available in the same way that the Department of […]

Reneging on the election promise to cut third level fees is not a fair or viable way to address Government overspend, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “The excuse that reductions in third level fees could be scrapped to compensate for overspending by other Departments punishes Ireland’s students and their […]

The quiet phasing-out of early intervention classes for autistic children is being presented by Government as inclusion, when in reality it amounts to an essential provision being scaled back to meet shortages elsewhere, according to Social Democrats disability spokesperson Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide said: “I received a parliamentary reply which shows that the Department of […]

Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins has called on the Department of Education and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) to provide urgent clarity and transparency on the true number of children in need of an appropriate school place. Deputy Cummins, who is the party’s education spokesperson, said: “It is deeply concerning that, six months […]