News

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 […]

The Government is ignoring the growing demand for the creation of gaelscoileanna and gaelcholáistí across Ireland, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “There are 11 counties with no gaelcholáistí, no option for parents or their children to receive an education in their native language. “More than 50% of the Department […]

The announcement of so-called “inclusive special classes” in mainstream schools has been made without clarity or engagement with school communities, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins. The announcement forms part of a wider package of 45 new special classes for the 2026/27 school year, including five pilot “inclusive” classes intended to allow students […]

Every level of the early years sector, including the Federation of Early Childhood Providers and Childhood Services Ireland, must come to the table and attend important pay talks for early years educators, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “The ongoing recruitment and retention crisis in early years education and childcare […]

Minister for Education Hildegarde Naughton must approach negotiations with our teachers unions in good faith if we are to avoid strike action this coming autumn, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “Both the INTO and ASTI, the unions which represent primary and secondary school teachers, are considering strike action in […]

The government cannot continue to sit back and ignore this ongoing crisis The government must act on a survey which found 41 percent of parents of children attending a Catholic primary school would prefer their child to attend a multidenominational school, according to Social Democrats Education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “The findings of […]

News of increased school transport fees shows that free education continues to be a myth under this Government, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins TD. Deputy Cummins said: “This is yet another charge being piled onto what is supposed to be a free education system. The decision to double costs for primary school […]

It’s difficult to understand how the Department of Education is facing an overspend of up to €700 million while schools around the country continue to struggle from underinvestment, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins, who is the party’s education spokesperson, said: “I am deeply concerned at reports that the Department of Education […]

Today’s announcement that over 121 of the country’s most disadvantaged schools are to receive additional supports, including hundreds of new staff, under the DEIS+ scheme is timely, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “I am delighted to finally see progress on the DEIS+ scheme – it is particularly encouraging to […]