Dr Jen Cummins TD

3,500 teachers are on a career break amid staffing shortage as union puts the blame on house prices More than 3,500 teachers are currently on a career break while thousands of teaching posts remain unfilled, but unions are blaming the housing crisis for forcing their members to drop out of teaching...

To improve retention and address shortages, teachers, SNAs and school staff need greater access to affordable housing near schools, real-terms restoration of pay and more permanent, full-time posts.

You can read my full comments here ⤵️

www.independent.ie/irish-news/3...

19.05.2025 09:55 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

750 degree level course places offered outside CAO system More than 750 places on degree level courses in areas including Occupational Therapy and Nursing are being offered to applicants outside of the CAO points system for this coming September.

After raising this in the Dáil I am delighted to see the increase of these much needed tertiary places especially given the high demand for more OT’s as a part of the The Educational Therapy Support Service roll out.

Would love to see SLT’s added too!

www.rte.ie/news/2025/05...

07.05.2025 07:27 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

RTÉ investigation into sexual abuse by Christian Brothers highlights the need for more secular schools - Social Democrats 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, accordi...

RTÉ investigation into sexual abuse of children by Christian Brothers should serve as a reminder of the need to end the prevalence of religious orders in schools.

Next week, a my first motion will seek to build a secular education system.

www.socialdemocrats.ie/rte-investig...

02.05.2025 18:25 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

A campaign on pension parity starting to ensure that school secretaries and caretakers are eligible for pensions.

It was great to attend the @forsatradeunion.bsky.social conference! Thank you to everyone who invited me, it was great to catch up with colleagues.

25.04.2025 13:53 — 👍 2    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0

Opinion: Ireland is changing. Our education system must change with it Jen Cummins of the Social Democrats says change is coming too slowly when it comes to non-denominational school choice for families in Ireland.

See my article in the @thejournal.ie today!

We need more choice for parents and more inclusive schools

www.thejournal.ie/readme/schoo...

29.04.2025 09:20 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

A week of education conferences complete! It’s been a great week to catch up with people I’ve worked with throughout my career in education & to meet people who are new to me now in my role as education spokesperson.

25.04.2025 14:49 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

A campaign on pension parity starting to ensure that school secretaries and caretakers are eligible for pensions.

It was great to attend the @forsatradeunion.bsky.social conference! Thank you to everyone who invited me, it was great to catch up with colleagues.

25.04.2025 13:53 — 👍 2    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0

Autism looks different for everyone. Let's challenge misconceptions, listen to people with lived experience, and create spaces where everyone feels valued.

01.04.2025 15:56 — 👍 0    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0

15.03.2025 07:42 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

Great to be at the NWCI Women’s Assembly : a Feminist Shared Future ahead of #IWD2025 💜

Their work on creating an inclusive shared space to discuss the issues impacting women across the country is inspiring

06.03.2025 11:35 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

Delighted to have my previous colleagues from @educatetogether.bsky.social in to discuss the crucial developments needed to ensure parents have the opportunity to educate their children in the way they want

There were zero new Educate Together schools in ‘24 and ‘23 this needs to change 📚✏️

04.03.2025 16:51 — 👍 3    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 0