Equality audit of all secondary schools must be undertaken Responding to the Leaving Cert reform announced by government today, Labour education spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin said the proposals must be examined more thoroughly, calling for an audit of the capacity of secondary schools to deliver the proposed changes. Deputy Ó Ríordáin said: “The experience of…

Labour education spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has called on the Minister to outline the specific rationale used for the DEIS school funding announced by the Department yesterday. Deputy Ó Ríordáin said: “At a briefing for Education spokespeople yesterday, a considerable amount of time was spent on explaining the DEIS identification model which has been used…

Labour Senator, and Further and Higher Education spokesperson, Annie Hoey, has today (Friday, 18th February) said Minister for Further and Higher Education, Simon Harris must ensure that the successes and gains of remote learning are bedded down post pandemic. Speaking in the Seanad this week, Senator Hoey said the benefits experienced by disabled students, parents…

Labour education spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has today published a bill to end single-gender school admission policies. Deputy Ó Ríordáin said the time has come to bring Ireland’s education system more in line with international norms. Deputy Ó Ríordáin said: “The fact that so many of our schools are still separated by gender sends the…

Labour spokesperson on Further and Higher Education Annie Hoey has called on the Minister to provide assurance to all students that in-person exams are being held in line with public health guidance. Senator Hoey said: “Young people have been an afterthought throughout the pandemic. Last month I wrote to Minister Harris asking him to detail…

Raising the manner in which the guidance on mask wearing in schools was communicated to schools, Labour education spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin said the lack of proactive communication from the Minister to school communities and children is simply unacceptable. Deputy Ó Ríordáin said: “Schools have been taken aback by the manner in which the mask…

Substitution crisis continues to impact secondary schools Labour education spokesperson has reiterated his call for the Minister for Education to meet with Opposition to discuss the current situation of Covid-19 in schools. Highlighting concerns raised by school communities and unions, Deputy Ó Ríordáin said it is only by working openly and collaboratively that long-term solutions…

Labour Party Education Spokesperson, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, has demanded that the Minister for Education immediately intervene to save the school system from complete collapse over the rapidly rising numbers of Covid outbreaks in schools and early years settings. Deputy Ó Ríordáin said the Minister must do all in her power to convince Cabinet colleagues that…