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FF and FG must get their act together on student fees

There has been total radio silence from the Minister today, who has gone into hiding Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael need to get their act together and keep their commitments to students and families to reduce third level fees, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins. “Yesterday, Minister for Higher Education James Lawless dropped […]

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Government’s plan to increase third-level fees amid student housing crisis deeply concerning

Raising student contribution fees by €1,000 per year amidst a cost of living crisis will make a college education more inaccessible for some students and families, according to Social Democrats further and higher education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “This proposal comes as students and families across the country are already grappling with unprecedented […]

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New US visa social media rules are invasive and excessive

Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins has described the US embassy’s new social media vetting requirements for Irish applicants seeking education and exchange visas as a serious overreach. Deputy Cummins, who is the party’s spokesperson on higher education, said: “Asking visa applicants to set their social media accounts to public to allow their posts to be […]

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Minister must scrap plans to redesignate special schools

Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins has called on the Department of Education to scrap plans to review the designation of special schools ahead of the new term in September. Deputy Cummins, who is the party’s education spokesperson, said: “Schools catering for children with mild general learning disabilities are being put under pressure by the government […]

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Government must expand eligibility for School Transport Scheme

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 […]

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Increase in capitation rate needed as schools grapple with running costs

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 […]

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Cummins criticises lack of compassion as children deported on charter flight

This week’s deportation of children, who were deeply embedded in their local community, lacked sensitivity and compassion, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins, who represents Dublin South-Central and is the party’s spokesperson on education, said: “This operation, which saw five children included on a chartered deportation flight from Dublin, was cruel and […]

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