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The Social Democrats today outlined proposals to make education genuinely free; aim to remove faith formation from the school day; and provide emotional supports in schools for primary and second-level students. The party’s education policy was launched by Gary Gannon (Dublin Central candidate), Cllr Jen Cummins (Dublin South-Central candidate) and Cllr Ronan Moore (Meath West […]

A new report highlighting the impact of poverty on a child’s performance in school is further proof that the Government got its priorities badly wrong in last week’s budget, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s education spokesperson, said: “The ‘Children’s School Lives’ study, which looked at 4,000 students […]

Today’s revelations that private fee-paying schools will be allowed to apply for a slice of the €9 million budget allocation to purchase mobile phone pouches have added new levels of farce to the controversy, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s spokesperson on education, said: “Spending €9 million in […]

The €9 million allocated in the budget for the purchase of mobile phone pouches for schools has been described by Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon as a scandalous waste of money. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s education spokesperson, said: “With schools around the country struggling to pay their bills or for basic classroom materials […]

The Minister for Education should be tackling the teacher recruitment crisis instead of focusing her efforts on a proposed smartphone ban for secondary schools, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s spokesperson on education, said: “As the new term begins, principals around the country are once again scrambling to […]

The Government is completely removed from the reality of the financial pressures faced by schools across the country, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s education spokesperson, said: “The results of a poll carried out by the Catholic Primary School Management Association are extremely concerning. A survey of 1,440 […]

Parents and pupils must be reassured that they will not face extra costs due to a Department of Education cut to the annual grant for primary schools, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “Just one year into a free schoolbooks scheme, which was announced […]

The Minister for Education is continuing to sleepwalk through the teacher recruitment crisis in our schools, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s education spokesperson, said: “The annual teachers’ conferences taking place this week should refocus Minister Foley’s mind on one of the most serious challenges facing our education […]

The planned expansion of the School Transport Scheme must be rolled out in tandem with a major overhaul of the system, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “According to reports over the weekend, Minister for Education Norma Foley is working on an expansion of […]

Changes to Special Education Teaching allocations will have a devastating impact on children with additional needs, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s education spokesperson, said: “The decision by the Department of Education to completely remove children with complex needs as a criteria for the allocation of Special Education […]