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The government must urgently expand eligibility for the School Transport Scheme to help Ireland achieve its climate action targets, reduce congestion on our roads, and tackle education disadvantage, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins, who is the party’s spokesperson on education, said: “With just 18 per cent of primary and post-primary pupils […]

Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins has criticised the government for its failure to ease the financial burden of school uniform costs on families. Deputy Cummins, who is the party’s spokesperson on education, said: “This is an issue that has been sitting on the desks of successive Ministers for Education for nearly a decade. “In fact, […]

The government has finally abandoned their plan to spend €9m on phone pouches for schools but are still refusing to give schools autonomy over how the money is spent, according to Social Democrats Education spokesperson Jen Cummins. “In the Dáil today, the Tánaiste announced a screeching government u-turn. Instead of their much vaunted plan to […]

Our primary schools cannot be expected to survive on inadequate capitation grants that don’t come close to meeting rising running costs, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins, who is a TD for Dublin South-Central and the party’s spokesperson on education, said: “According to the Catholic Primary School Management Association (CPSMA), a record […]

Every child deserves not just a school place – but an appropriate place that will help them to reach their full potential  The Education Minister must urgently clarify if she is plans to redesignate special schools which cater to children who have mild general learning disabilities, according to Social Democrats Education Spokesperson Jen Cummins. “Due […]

Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins has voiced concern following reports that the US government is pausing new foreign student visa interviews and ramping up scrutiny of applicants’ social media activity – a move she believes has serious implications for academic freedom and free expression. Deputy Cummins, who is the party’s spokesperson on higher education, said: […]

The government’s reaction to the school attendance crisis is déjà vu disguised as innovation, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins, who’s the party’s education spokesperson, said: “Let’s be clear: this crisis didn’t come out of nowhere – for years, the School Completion Programme ran effective, community-based attendance monitoring and promotion in DEIS […]

It’s time for the government to finally act on their promise to address the assessment of need crisis, according to Social Democrats acting leader Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “According to the Disability Act 2005, an assessment of need must be completed within six months of the date the application is received. “Yet, in the […]

The Dáil will debate a Social Democrats’ motion on Thursday (May 8) which will call on the government to increase the number of multi-denominational schools and phase out religious patronage in public education. Deputy Jen Cummins, who is the party’s education spokesperson, said: “Our motion is about parental choice in education. Parents across the country […]

RTÉ’s investigation into the systematic sexual abuse of children by Christian Brothers should serve as a salutary reminder of the need to end the prevalence of religious orders in our schools, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins, who is a TD for Dublin South-Central and the party’s education spokesperson, said: “Last night’s […]