News

Any proposal to alter Rent Pressure Zone (RPZ) rules to allow for more frequent rent increases for purpose-built student accommodation must be strongly resisted, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins, who is the party’s spokesperson on Further and Higher Education, said: “As part of changes to RPZ rules, the Department of Housing […]

The Minister for Children’s proposed reform of the Assessment of Needs process is deeply worrying, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “The decision to overhaul the AON process for children is deeply worrying, not least because the reform was introduced with no prior consultation with teachers’ unions, school staff, or the […]

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has paid tribute to young disability campaigner Cara Darmody ahead of a cross-party Opposition motion on Assessments of Needs (AONs), which will be debated in the Dáil this evening. Deputy Cairns said: “Through her tireless advocacy on behalf of her two younger brothers, Cara has helped keep the spotlight on […]

A new report into teacher wellbeing makes clear that conditions in schools have reached a critical tipping point, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “The 2025 DCU Create Teacher Occupational Wellbeing study shows that teachers are experiencing unprecedented pressure, with many reporting that the demands of their roles are pushing […]

The government must do everything possible to prevent a group of institutional abuse survivors from resuming a hunger strike, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins, who is the party’s spokesperson on education, said: “Three and a half weeks have now passed since these four survivors – who were wronged in childhood and […]

State negligence has led to parents footing the bill to keep our schools afloat to the tune of €23 million per year, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “During yesterday’s meeting of the Oireachtas Education Committee, officials from the Department of Education confirmed that voluntary contributions and fundraising from parents […]

Government must pull out all the stops to avert a return to industrial action from school staff over pension dispute, which would be devastating for students, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “There is nothing new or reassuring in Fórsa simply being invited to the table – for years, school […]

The government has agreed to provide supports for a group of men and women who partook in a hunger strike for 51 days, but the State must never put abuse survivors through such an ordeal again, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “I am deeply relieved to hear that the […]

The Social Democrats have urged the Taoiseach to personally intervene to end the ongoing hunger strike by survivors of institutional abuse, which has now entered its 45th day. Deputy Jen Cummins, who is the party’s education spokesperson, said: “I have written to the Taoiseach on behalf of the parliamentary party to express our deep alarm and […]

Children in our most vulnerable educational settings cannot be left to pay the price for systemic teacher shortages, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “The recent survey published by the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) reporting that over half of special schools, 43% of Irish-medium schools and 35% of DEIS […]