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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 […]

Current exclusion policies applied to institutional abuse redress schemes are creating a hierarchy of survivors, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins, who is the party’s education spokesperson, said: “Thousands of survivors continue to face barriers to recognition and support because of arbitrary eligibility rules and exclusions. “Far too many survivors are still […]

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 […]

Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins and Cllr Lesley Byrne have today reiterated their support for residents seeking the reinstatement of Phase One of the Oliver Bond regeneration project after a meeting with the Minister for Housing and residents. Deputy Cummins said: “After the meeting with Minister Browne, we welcome the decision to keep Bridgefoot […]

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 […]

The decision by the Minister for Housing to revoke funding for the regeneration of Oliver Bond flats fails to address the urgent housing needs of residents, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins and Councillor Lesley Byrne. Deputy Cummins, who represents the Dublin South-Central constituency, said: “Residents in Oliver Bond flats have been living for […]

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 […]