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Newly published guidelines for special needs assistants will harm some of the most vulnerable children in our schools, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “These guidelines do not represent progress – they are designed to ration resources, not to support children. “At a time when schools are already under huge […]

Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins has slammed reports of third level students having to endure shocking living conditions in seriously overcrowded accommodation. Deputy Cummins, who is the party’s spokesperson on further and higher education, said: “I am appalled at revelations that postgraduate students attending Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) in Limerick have been crammed […]

Figures released by the Department of Education showing a small reduction in class sizes do not reflect the reality faced by many schools and should be taken with a pinch of salt, according to the Social Democrats. Deputy Jen Cummins, who is the party’s education spokesperson, said: “The headline figure published by the department suggests […]

Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins has called on the Minister for Education to make immediate contact with Fórsa and confirm that the government is now willing to put the issue of pensions on the table as part of any negotiations to end the week-long strike by school secretaries and caretakers. Deputy Cummins, who is the […]

Inter-party squabbling between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael will do nothing to resolve the ongoing strike by school secretaries and caretakers, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “We are now one week into this strike, which is severely disrupting the day-to-day running of schools around the country and has the […]

Social Democrats TDs Rory Hearne and Jen Cummins today handed in a letter to the Minister for Education on behalf of three Dublin families struggling to secure special education places for their children. Deputy Hearne, who is a TD for Dublin North-West, has taken up the cases of three children in his constituency – Riley […]

Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins has said the Labour Court must now intervene in the strike by school secretaries and caretakers. Deputy Cummins said: “School secretaries and caretakers are the backbone of our school communities. They are essential to the proper running of schools all across the country. “For decades, these professionals have provided […]

Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins has expressed solidarity with the school secretaries and caretakers commencing indefinite strike action today. Speaking ahead of a protest rally at the Department of Public Expenditure in Dublin, Deputy Cummins said: “As students return to the classroom this week, it is unacceptable that the dedicated secretaries and caretakers who […]

The student accommodation crisis is undermining the academic potential and personal development of an entire generation, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins, who is the party’s spokesperson on further and higher education, said: “At this time in their lives, students should be focused on their studies, building friendships, and experiencing everything that […]

Government responsibility for the School Transport Scheme should be transferred out of the Department of Education and put under the remit of the Department of Transport, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on transport, said: “The start of the new term has yet again been marked by […]