Mary support the campaign by Special Needs Assistant’s for recognition and certification of minimum standards by the Department of Education. The minimum qualification to apply to become an SNA has not been altered since 1979. To read more about the campaign click here.
Category: Education
Childcare Funding
Mary welcomed the report from the Expert group on Childcare this week and the Government has accepted its recommendations. Highlights of the report include: €270Million extra funding to the sector which will help to Control fees, which have been a barrier for so many parents. Improve pay & conditions for this dedicated work force. It…
Affordability of 3rd Level Education
Mary raised affordability of third level education in the Seanad echoing the sentiments of the Union of Students of Ireland that €50, 000 for a 4 year degree is still too much and calling out the need for Government to remove the financial barriers for students. She highlighted the specific requests from the Union of…
Gaelscoil Coláiste Mhuire
Mary has continued to renew representations to both the Department of Education and Minister for Education Norma Foley regarding the new school building project for Gaelscoil Coláiste Mhuire. Further to her most recent representations she received a positive update on the new school building project which indicates that stage 2b approval should be completed by…
Supporting Students
Mary recently met with the Union of Students of Ireland to discuss the supports announced in the recent Budget 2022, and how Housing for All gives Technological Universities the power to build not for profit student accommodation and the rent controls introduced by the Government to help students. The increase in the SUSI grant and…
Gaelscoil Coláiste Mhuire
Mary has continued to follow up with the Department of Education and the Minister, trying to drive progress of delivery of a new school for Gaelscoil Coláiste Mhuire. Mary recently met again with Minister of Education Norma Foley who is also working to find a solution to allow the school construction progress. Following the meeting…
National Childcare Scheme
Mary is calling for equality of access to childcare for all children in North Dublin. She raised the issue in the Seanad with Minister for Childcare, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman TD, asking for a review of the National Childcare Scheme to ensure funding is in place to provide equality of access to…
Special Classes Update
As schools reopen, 2,118 special classes will open their doors. This is an increase of 269 classes from the previous school year and will ensure that approximately 12,700 special class places will be available this year, including 1,600 new special class places. Since 2011, the number of special classes has increased by 386%. For a…
Safe Routes to School
170 Primary Schools who were successful in their application to the Safe Routes to School programme. It aims to create safer walking, cycling and scooter routes to primary and post primary. Huge interest with more than 900 schools applied, delighted to say that 6 schools in Dublin Central were successful including St Catherines, St Peters,…
Leaving Cert Update
Leaving Certificate results for 2021 are expected to issue directly to candidates through the Candidate Self Service Portal on Friday 3 September. With the Leaving Cert starting next week both students and parents may have some questions around exams etc, you can click here for answers to frequently asked questions. For more information click here