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There must be greater targeted investment in schools and communities in disadvantaged areas following new research highlighting inequalities in Leaving Certificate outcomes, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins TD. Deputy Cummins said: “The ESRI’s findings reinforce the need to strengthen supports for students and families living in lower socio-economic areas; that investment must […]

The decision to reintroduce state exam fees, which would heap further pressure on families already struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, must be reversed, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “The decision to bring back fees for students sitting the Junior and Leaving certificates sends the wrong signal to families who […]

Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins has called on the Department of Education to provide urgent clarity to schools, families and staff on the long-awaited SNA workforce development plan, warning that continued delays are creating ongoing uncertainty. Deputy Cummins, who is the party’s education spokesperson, said: “At the Oireachtas Education Committee today, I called on the […]

The government and Minister for Education is allowing teacher shortages to spiral out of control due to inaction, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “The teacher recruitment and retention crisis has brought schools around the country to their knees – the government cannot sit on the sidelines while teachers and […]

The controversy over SNA allocations has descended further into farce, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins, with the Department of Public Expenditure admitting to an Oireachtas committee today that it has no idea where the government’s promised additional €19 million in funding will come from. Deputy Cummins, who is the party’s education spokesperson, said: […]

The State apology given by the Taoiseach today to those who suffered abuse in industrial and reformatory schools, while welcome, will be meaningless if the government fails to honour its commitment to provide additional supports for survivors, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins, who is the party’s education spokesperson, said: “It is […]

The government’s screeching u-turn on cuts to SNAs was inevitable but raises further serious questions, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “The government was forced into this climb down because of enormous public anger. This is a victory for parents, school communities and SNAs. However, we now need clarity on […]

The government is making it up as it goes along when it comes to a review of SNA allocations, according to Social Democrats spokesperson for children Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “The government created utter turmoil for families and schools this week with its botched SNA review, which was abruptly paused on Tuesday in response […]

The government must clarify what the pause in proposed SNA cuts means for families and school staff around the country, according to Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide said: “This afternoon, the government backtracked on planned cuts to Special Needs Assistants in schools across the country after ferocious pressure from the public. “SNAs support […]

The government must not proceed with any plan to cut Special Needs Assistant support across the country, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins TD. Deputy Cummins, who has been meeting with teachers, school leaders, SNAs and parents on special education, said: “The proposed cuts are wholly premature; many new special classes, which will […]