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Bus Éireann and the Department of Education must immediately outline how many pupils will be affected by the last-minute cancellation of bus services due to operate next week under the School Transport Scheme, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on transport, said: “With only days to go […]

The accommodation crisis is placing an intolerable financial burden on students and preventing full immersion in college life, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins, who is the party’s spokesperson on further and higher education, said: “For so many students due to receive their Leaving Certificate results this week, the joy of securing […]

Leaving school secretaries and caretakers out of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme is blatantly unfair, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “School secretaries and caretakers are just as important to schools as teachers and principals – without them, our education system would not be able to function. “Secretaries and […]

The student accommodation sector is in need of urgent reform, with students undergoing disproportionate hardship just to find somewhere to live, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “Student accommodation has gotten so expensive that some colleges’ student unions, such as UCD’s, have felt compelled to start a food bank for […]

It’s a disgrace that hundreds of primary schools previously told they would begin providing hot school meals in September will now face delays, with the scheme postponed until mid to late October, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins TD. Deputy Cummins said: “When were schools actually told this was happening? The lack of […]

The findings of the latest Barnardos “Back to School” survey are deeply concerning, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “More than half of parents in Ireland are worried about the costs associated with returning to school, with many turning to savings, loans, and significant cutbacks in order to meet these […]

The government must adhere to the primacy of the O’Keefe judgement and establish a fair redress scheme for the survivors of historical abuse in schools, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “I fully recognise how important redress is for survivors as a measure of accountability for what they experienced as […]

The government cannot continue to turn a blind eye to exorbitant back-to-school costs faced by families, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins, who is the party’s education spokesperson, said: “The findings of the 2025 Irish League of Credit Unions’ annual back-to-school survey are stark. Parents now spend an average of €1,450 to […]

If religious orders are unwilling to contribute to redress, the government must go after them with a legal team, not a begging bowl The decision to establish a commission of investigation into historic sexual abuse in schools is welcome but the government must ensure religious orders contribute to redress, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson […]

A lack of adequate planning for the needs of our education system has led to 1,847 teaching posts remaining unfilled ahead of the new academic year, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “The teacher shortage crisis is symptomatic of a lack of forward planning across government departments – it is […]