Results 1-20 of 352 for speaker:Jen Cummins

All-Island Strategic Rail Review: Statements (Resumed) (2 Jul 2025)

Jen Cummins: I represent Dublin South-Central which is a densely populated area. A huge amount of building is going on, particularly in areas like Bluebell, Inchicore, Ballyfermot, Park West and around that area. Our access to rail is actually quite limited. The Luas goes through it but it is constantly jammed. Bus services are being re-evaluated at the moment in terms of BusConnect and people are...

GPO and Moore Street Regeneration as a 1916 Cultural Quarter: Motion [Private Members] (1 Jul 2025)

Jen Cummins: It is a defining moment for the preservation of our history. The GPO is fundamental to our past but it is not a relic. It has huge potential. I am lucky to live in Dublin South-Central, where Deputy Ó Snodaigh also lives and where history and historic buildings are preserved and celebrated. They include the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Kilmainham Gaol, and St. Patrick's Cathedral. Of...

Review of Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004: Statements (1 Jul 2025)

Jen Cummins: In recent months, since the Government was formed, there have been announcements about additional school places for children and young people with additional educational needs, be it in special classes in mainstream schools or in special schools. There have been promises that special education will improve. I know the Minister of State and his officials are trying their best in every way to...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Jul 2025)

Jen Cummins: Some of the parents in our school system are having to act like fundraisers because the schools are not fully funded. I know the Government has increased the capitation grant, which is welcome. However, having spoken to many different schools, DEIS schools in particular, I know that fundraising is very difficult because families are struggling with general day-to-day costs. The same is...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Jul 2025)

Jen Cummins: -----but I am wondering about forward planning. I thank the Minister.

Transparency and Social Value in Public Procurement Bill 2024: Second Stage [Private Members] (26 Jun 2025)

Jen Cummins: In accordance with Standing Order 85(2), the division is postponed until the next weekly division time.

Select Committee on Education and Youth: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 26 - Education (Revised) (26 Jun 2025)

Jen Cummins: I thank the Minister and welcome back everyone who was here very late last night. I welcome all the new people as well for today's meeting. I wish to discuss two connected matters and one that is separate. The first is the school completion programme. I always talk about it because I came from working in the school completion programme. Having spoken to colleagues over the past number of...

Select Committee on Education and Youth: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 26 - Education (Revised) (26 Jun 2025)

Jen Cummins: Budgets are being managed so things have to be reduced because you have to pay staff. In the school completion programme, in order to fulfil all the things in a retention plan, something has to go. In the past, that has meant staff have gone on a reduced working year or have not taken increments. In a country so rich, it is not right. It also means services are not provided. For example,...

Select Committee on Education and Youth: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 26 - Education (Revised) (26 Jun 2025)

Jen Cummins: On youth work, I know it has only been part of the Department for a month. I look forward to seeing how that is elaborated upon in the budget. I cannot see the specifics of how it will work with youth work included in the Department. Youth work is fundamental to a functioning society. Every time I go to a community and safety forum in Dublin city, who is there? The Garda, Dublin City...

Select Committee on Education and Youth: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 26 - Education (Revised) (26 Jun 2025)

Jen Cummins: That leads to my final question. Youth work is very targeted in this country. It is for the most disadvantaged young people and young people who are marginalised in particular ways. Having been a youth worker, I would love to see youth work provided for everybody, so that the funding is not just for targeted supports. That is not to take away from them but it would mean every child, no...

Select Committee on Education and Youth: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 26 - Education (Revised) (26 Jun 2025)

Jen Cummins: I welcome the extension of the free books scheme to leaving certificate level in the free education system. There has been talk from parents recently about the cost of uniforms. It is my understanding that a circular was published a number of years ago, which stated there should be generic uniforms on which logos could be ironed and so on. How is that being managed? If schools are still...

Select Committee on Education and Youth: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 26 - Education (Revised) (26 Jun 2025)

Jen Cummins: They might ask for funding for the icing-on-the-cake stuff as opposed to bread-and-butter stuff.

Select Committee on Education and Youth: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 26 - Education (Revised) (26 Jun 2025)

Jen Cummins: Yes. There is the perspective of the school but also the parents' perspective. Every year Barnardos issues a statement highlighting that the cost of returning to school is a problem for parents. There are grants. It is trying to mitigate against ever having a situation where families are struggling to get back to school with those increased costs.

Select Committee on Education and Youth: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 26 - Education (Revised) (26 Jun 2025)

Jen Cummins: I thank the Minister and I thank her officials.

Legislative and Structural Reforms to Accelerate Housing Delivery: Motion [Private Members] (25 Jun 2025)

Jen Cummins: This motion comes at a time of deep concern for the people of Ireland but particularly for my constituency of Dublin South Central. Our capital city is at breaking point. The housing crisis we are living in is dire. Every single clinic I have is jammed with people who are in desperate situations. They are coming to the clinic, the phone never stops ringing and the emails are full. When...

Committee on Education and Youth: Education for Children with Special Educational Needs: Minister of State at the Department of Education and Youth (25 Jun 2025)

Jen Cummins: I thank the Minister of State and his officials for being here. If a school has been sanctioned with an additional special class, who fills those places? Is it the school through its admissions policy, through the people it knows, or is it the NCSE, or is it a mixture? I would like a little clarity on that. That is for the year coming.

Committee on Education and Youth: Education for Children with Special Educational Needs: Minister of State at the Department of Education and Youth (25 Jun 2025)

Jen Cummins: Okay, so the school should not go ahead and offer those places.

Committee on Education and Youth: Education for Children with Special Educational Needs: Minister of State at the Department of Education and Youth (25 Jun 2025)

Jen Cummins: Okay. They should be notified before.

Committee on Education and Youth: Education for Children with Special Educational Needs: Minister of State at the Department of Education and Youth (25 Jun 2025)

Jen Cummins: I thank the Minister of State for clarifying that. With regard to mild general learning disabilities, I have been contacted by a number of schools for such children and I brought this up with the Minister, Deputy McEntee. I reiterate the need for those schools. I know there are places needed for children with complex needs. I am nervous for those children who are in those schools that...

Committee on Education and Youth: Education for Children with Special Educational Needs: Minister of State at the Department of Education and Youth (25 Jun 2025)

Jen Cummins: As regards SNAs being redeployed, I am worried from a workers' rights position. It is great that they will continue to have their jobs, but in terms of protection for workers there, how will that be managed? How will they be protected such that they are not going miles away or are within their community?