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Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins has expressed solidarity with the school secretaries and caretakers commencing indefinite strike action today. Speaking ahead of a protest rally at the Department of Public Expenditure in Dublin, Deputy Cummins said: “As students return to the classroom this week, it is unacceptable that the dedicated secretaries and caretakers who […]

The student accommodation crisis is undermining the academic potential and personal development of an entire generation, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins, who is the party’s spokesperson on further and higher education, said: “At this time in their lives, students should be focused on their studies, building friendships, and experiencing everything that […]

Government responsibility for the School Transport Scheme should be transferred out of the Department of Education and put under the remit of the Department of Transport, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on transport, said: “The start of the new term has yet again been marked by […]

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 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 […]