News

An education system that is beholden to the teachings of the Catholic church no longer has a place in a modern, secular society The Government’s programme to divest schools from Catholic church patronage is proceeding too slowly and is simply not working, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s […]

Will the Minister now take on board the Social Democrats’ 11 proposals to deal with recruitment crisis in our schools?  Comments made by Tánaiste Leo Varadkar in the Dáil today add another bizarre twist to the Government’s botched response to the teacher recruitment crisis, according to Social Democrats Education Spokesperson Gary Gannon. “In response to […]

Some TDs, who were teachers before their election to the Dáil, are currently on career breaks Plans to cancel career breaks for teachers, in response to the recruitment crisis, show the government are out of ideas and grasping at straws, according to Social Democrats Education Spokesperson Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon as speaking in advance of […]

The Minister for Education has been sleepwalking through this crisis and has failed to give it the urgency it deserves The Social Democrats will bring a Private Members’ Motion before the Dáil on Wednesday (December 7), calling for a range of measures to address the serious shortage of teachers in primary and secondary schools. The […]

Minister Foley must restore banked hours system for children who lose time with their special education teachers Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon has called on the Minister for Education to ensure that pupils with additional needs do not lose tuition hours as a result of the chronic shortage of primary school substitute teachers. Deputy Gannon, […]

Students finally receive their results – six months after sitting their exams Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon has congratulated students on finally receiving their Junior Cert results today, but called on the Minister for Education to provide assurances that the long delays in correcting this year’s exams will never happen again. Deputy Gannon, who is […]

Schools should be an inclusive, safe space for our students, yet the opposite is the case for many LGBTQ+ youth The Government must be more proactive in tackling the rise of transphobia and homophobia in our schools, Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon told the Dáil today. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s Education spokesperson, made […]

Principals and special education teachers are not qualified to diagnose disabilities or specific learning disabilitiesThe Minister for Education must confirm whether legal responsibility for assessing the educational needs, of children with additional needs, is being transferred to school principals, according to Social Democrats Education Spokesperson Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon was speaking after schools received an “information […]

This unprecedented delay has caused a lot of worry and upset among students an their families Education Minister Norma Foley owes an apology to Junior Cert student for the unprecedented delay in releasing the Junior Cert results, according to Social Democrats Education Spokesperson Gary Gannon. “This morning, the State Examinations Commission announced that Junior Cert […]

Delay calls into question the very relevance of Junior Cert exams Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon has expressed disappointment after the Minister for Education was unable to confirm a date for the Junior Certificate results. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s Education spokesperson, made his comments after raising the issue with Minister Norma Foley in […]