Results 1-20 of 582 for speaker:Jen Cummins

Men's Health: Statements (22 Oct 2025)

Jen Cummins: Before I start, I have some visitors in the Gallery from a school who are on leaving certificate applied, LCA, work experience. I want to say thank you to them. They have done excellent work so far this week. I would like to pay tribute in this debate to a group of my constituents in Dublin South-Central, the Dublin 12 Men's Shed. I had the pleasure of going to visit them recently with...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Youth: Curriculum Reform at Senior Cycle: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Oct 2025)

Jen Cummins: The witnesses are all very welcome. I thank them for taking time to come today and for their input so far. I am very struck by what they all said. Like everybody else here, I have been contacted by teachers, principals, parents and students about the leaving certificate reform. Notwithstanding the fact that there are so many issues, last week we were here with representatives from the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Youth: Curriculum Reform at Senior Cycle: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Oct 2025)

Jen Cummins: On the teacher retention crisis, the Department has issued new guidelines for the Teaching Council for those whose qualifications come from outside the State. Will that have an impact? People contact me all the time saying that they are teaching or have taught elsewhere or their qualifications are from elsewhere. The qualifications here are a huge barrier.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Youth: Curriculum Reform at Senior Cycle: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Oct 2025)

Jen Cummins: Okay, so they are not necessarily from somewhere else; it is about translating back in here.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Youth: Curriculum Reform at Senior Cycle: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Oct 2025)

Jen Cummins: When I spoke to Mr. Gillespie previously, he referred to the reinstatement of posts of responsibility. How far along the line is that at the moment? This is very important within the school system.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Youth: Curriculum Reform at Senior Cycle: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Oct 2025)

Jen Cummins: It is also because it is so expensive to live here, as previous contributors have said. Young teachers, in particular, are going elsewhere to live the best life they can over there that they could not possibly imagine having here now. However, when they come back, their huge experience is not being recognised. My understanding is that when they are teaching abroad they get huge experience...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Youth: Curriculum Reform at Senior Cycle: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Oct 2025)

Jen Cummins: In my last few seconds I want to congratulate the witnesses and say well done to them. It is very difficult to come into this committee. Their contributions have been excellent. I wish Mr. Ó Caoimh the best of luck with the gap year and when he goes on to UCC.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Surveys (21 Oct 2025)

Jen Cummins: 375. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when she will launch an online national survey of all primary parents and preschool parents to determine local preferences for school type, including for multidenominational patronage to inform potential future changes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56503/25]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Surveys (21 Oct 2025)

Jen Cummins: 376. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the delay in publishing the national survey on parents' patronage choice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56504/25]

Education (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage [Private Members] (16 Oct 2025)

Jen Cummins: I thank Sinn Féin very much for bringing forward this motion. It is a lot of common sense. Anything we can do in this House to make the transition into our formal education system easier for children with disabilities and their families, we should try to do. It would bring certainty and forward planning into that. A year is a very short time. We say a year but, really,...

National Training Fund (Amendment) Bill 2025: Second Stage (16 Oct 2025)

Jen Cummins: I often talk about how education does not finish with the leaving certificate or junior certificate. It goes on and on. For many people it is a fantastic thing that they engage with on a regular basis, well past the need for qualifications or the skills for work. It is because they really love engaging in education. It is fantastic that, in this country, we have so many options open to...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (16 Oct 2025)

Jen Cummins: I bring up the issue of opting out of religious classes for children who go to religious schools. A number of parents have contacted me about this issue, and it is causing huge concern, upset and disappointment. Children who attend schools that are under religious patrons and who are not part of that religion or belief system are supposed to be able to opt out. It is set out in the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Education Schemes (16 Oct 2025)

Jen Cummins: It is wonderful to see the amount of money going into all that which the Minister of State outlined. It is much needed. I am concerned, however, for three parts, one of which is capital budgets for buildings. The Minister of State has visited many different places around the country. As she knows, I have worked in education for a very long time, and I have been to see adult education...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Education Schemes (16 Oct 2025)

Jen Cummins: I am a bit concerned that the FET aspect will only be finalised in the future. FET sometimes is forgotten, and it is such an important part. The Minister of State talked about inclusive education. FET is a form of education that enables social mobility. People entering into FET often come through community and adult education. We need to make sure that is not forgotten. With regard...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Education Schemes (16 Oct 2025)

Jen Cummins: 10. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of new resources from budget 2026 allocated specifically to further education and training provision, community education, Youthreach and community training centres; the capital and current funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55972/25]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Education Schemes (16 Oct 2025)

Jen Cummins: I would like to ask the Minister about specific allocations in the budget for further education and training, community education, Youthreach and community training centres. These programmes play a vital role in inclusion, lifelong learning and skills development, yet they operate with limited resources. Could the Minister please outline the new resources, capital and current, that are...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Youth: Curriculum Reform at Senior Cycle: Discussion (16 Oct 2025)

Jen Cummins: I am sorry I was late. I was in the Chamber. I am happy to see there is a number of new subjects particularly drama, film and theatre studies and climate action and sustainable development. That will broaden out the curriculum in a very positive way. I note that the leaving certification vocational programme will potentially lead to more access. How will that happen? It is such a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Youth: Curriculum Reform at Senior Cycle: Discussion (16 Oct 2025)

Jen Cummins: Is there a mechanism by which schools have to offer it to everybody? There are students who apply for it but do not get it. That is not fair. If a school is going to offer it, it should be resourced to be able to offer it to everybody. I understand in cases where half the students do not want to do it, that is a difficulty but some schools make it compulsory. It is a year where students...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Youth: Curriculum Reform at Senior Cycle: Discussion (16 Oct 2025)

Jen Cummins: I was one of them.