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The Minister for Education must publish the number of children currently awaiting special education school places, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “The Department of Education should work with the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) to make the figures publicly available in the same way that the Department of […]

The decision by the Minister for Housing to revoke funding for the regeneration of Oliver Bond flats fails to address the urgent housing needs of residents, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins and Councillor Lesley Byrne. Deputy Cummins, who represents the Dublin South-Central constituency, said: “Residents in Oliver Bond flats have been living for […]

Reneging on the election promise to cut third level fees is not a fair or viable way to address Government overspend, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “The excuse that reductions in third level fees could be scrapped to compensate for overspending by other Departments punishes Ireland’s students and their […]

Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins has called on the Department of Education and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) to provide urgent clarity and transparency on the true number of children in need of an appropriate school place. Deputy Cummins, who is the party’s education spokesperson, said: “It is deeply concerning that, six months […]

The people of Dublin’s southwest inner city are being failed on multiple fronts by the Government, according to local Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins, who represents Dublin South Central, said: “A new report by TCD economist Barra Roantree has revealed the depths of disadvantage in Dublin’s southwest inner city. On every metric, the residents […]

The Government is ignoring the growing demand for the creation of gaelscoileanna and gaelcholáistí across Ireland, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “There are 11 counties with no gaelcholáistí, no option for parents or their children to receive an education in their native language. “More than 50% of the Department […]

Minister for Education Hildegarde Naughton must approach negotiations with our teachers unions in good faith if we are to avoid strike action this coming autumn, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “Both the INTO and ASTI, the unions which represent primary and secondary school teachers, are considering strike action in […]

The government cannot continue to sit back and ignore this ongoing crisis The government must act on a survey which found 41 percent of parents of children attending a Catholic primary school would prefer their child to attend a multidenominational school, according to Social Democrats Education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “The findings of […]

News of increased school transport fees shows that free education continues to be a myth under this Government, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins TD. Deputy Cummins said: “This is yet another charge being piled onto what is supposed to be a free education system. The decision to double costs for primary school […]

It’s difficult to understand how the Department of Education is facing an overspend of up to €700 million while schools around the country continue to struggle from underinvestment, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins, who is the party’s education spokesperson, said: “I am deeply concerned at reports that the Department of Education […]