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Department to squander millions on mobile phone pouches instead of tackling education disadvantage

The millions of euro set to be wasted on the rollout of mobile phone pouches in schools would be better spent tackling education disadvantage, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins, who represents Dublin South-Central, made her comments after the Department of Education advertised a tender for the scheme, which is worth €7.3 […]

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Next Minister for Health must act to regulate sale of nicotine pouches

The new government must urgently act to halt the worrying use of nicotine pouches by secondary school students, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. “It has been reported today that an increasing number of schools have been sending notices to parents to highlight the ongoing use of these products in classrooms. This follows calls […]

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Soc Dems launch policy to make education genuinely free

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 […]

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Budget will do little to help less well-off children in our schools

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 […]

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Latest phone pouch revelations add new levels of farce to budget fallout

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 […]

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Education Minister must make teacher recruitment crisis her main priority

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 […]

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Minister must address financial pressures faced by schools

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 […]

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Education Minister must urgently address deepening teacher recruitment crisis

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 […]

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