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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 crippling 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 […]

The government’s intention to examine a two-track approach to college fee reductions is fundamentally flawed and fails to honour previous promises made to students, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins, who is the party’s spokesperson on further and higher education, said: “Any proposal to offer partial relief to some students while maintaining […]

The government’s willingness to throw students under the bus by jacking up third level fees by €1,000 for the 2025/26 academic year is further proof that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael cannot be trusted, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins, who is the party’s spokesperson on further and higher education, said: “We […]

The government’s failure to properly fund schools is forcing parents into a cycle of “voluntary” contributions that are anything but voluntary, according to Social Democrats higher education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “Families across Ireland are contributing approximately €54 million at primary level alone to cover basic school costs such as heating, electricity, and day-to-day […]

There has been total radio silence from the Minister today, who has gone into hiding Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael need to get their act together and keep their commitments to students and families to reduce third level fees, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins. “Yesterday, Minister for Higher Education James Lawless dropped […]

Raising student contribution fees by €1,000 per year amidst a cost of living crisis will make a college education more inaccessible for some students and families, according to Social Democrats further and higher education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “This proposal comes as students and families across the country are already grappling with unprecedented […]

Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins has called on the Department of Education to scrap plans to review the designation of special schools ahead of the new term in September. Deputy Cummins, who is the party’s education spokesperson, said: “Schools catering for children with mild general learning disabilities are being put under pressure by the government […]