Tánaiste opens Autism Unit in Scoil Mhuire agus Pádraig, Swinford [education.ie]
- Published: 12 November 2010
The Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, Mary Coughlan TD, today opened a new state of the art Autism Unit in Scoil Mhuire agus Pádraig, Swinford, Co Mayo.
The new unit, which was built at a cost of €250,000 and funded by the Department of Education and Skills, will make an enormous difference to the lives of the pupils who attend.
The unit currently caters for five children and has a staffing allocation of 1.5 teaching posts and three SNA post.
Scoil Mhuire agus Pádraig has an enrolment of 430 students.
Speaking to pupils, teachers, and parents at the opening of the Unit, the Tánaiste said: "I am delighted to be here today to join in the celebrations at the opening of your new Autism Unit.
"This is an important development for the school which has established a reputation as a vibrant and inclusive school.
"It provides a strong basis for the development of this important educational service to a most deserving group of young people and their parents.
"The opening of the new unit will also provide opportunities for the children to meet with each other, integrate where possible and to develop links that will extend into the wider community.
Full Story: www.education.ie
New website to help schoolgoers and raise funds for GOAL [advertiser.ie]
- Published: 11 November 2010
Education, fun, and charity have come together to create a new website to help school pupils with their general knowledge as well as raising money for GOAL.
TheBigTest.ie, founded by Kieran Coleman and Ronan Scully and supported by GOAL and Galvin for Men, is a new website which was launched recently by An Taoiseach Brian Cowen and former Galway footballer Ray Silke.
The website contains written and pictorial tests and questions and answers on various topics. These include primary and secondary school revision tests in various subjects and driving theory tests. The website will be updated regularly, with further categories and questions being added over the coming months.
The website challenges the person to get as many correct answers as possible and for every correct answer a tablespoon of Oral Rehydration Solution or other medicine will be generated for GOAL. This part of the website is being sponsored by Galvin for Men and some of GOAL’s other supporters.
Full Story: www.advertiser.ie
Paul Gogarty TD issues statement on education [greenparty.ie]
- Published: 11 November 2010
It wasn’t supposed to be this way. Last year after delivering what was then considered to be the mother of all budgets, Finance Minister Brian Lenihan told the nation that the worst was over. We had turned a corner. After making €4 billion in adjustments for 2010, the budget for next year would require a smaller adjustment in the region of €3 billion as part of a package of measures that would reduce our deficit to the agreed three per cent target by 2014.
While the fiscal mess was undoubtedly global in origin, its effect had been exacerbated by poor macro-economic decisions made by the previous administration. The property bubble had already been blown up to unsustainable proportions by rezoning decisions at local authority level by councillors from a variety of parties all too ready to accept donations from developers and other vested interests, who coincidentally happened to strongly support unbridled housing construction whether it was needed or not. It was further inflated by bad banking practices and Government policies that proactively encouraged investors into the market.
Full Story: www.greenparty.ie
Persistence pays . . . as school unveils revamp [Independent.ie]
- Published: 11 November 2010
EDUCATION Minister Mary Coughlan yesterday opened a new sports hall and extension of a major Dublin school.
The construction work at Colaiste Eanna Catholic secondary school in Dublin 16 was unveiled at a ceremony attended by parents, teachers and pupils.
Principal John O'Sullivan said it had taken 20 years of determination, persistence and construction to get the new buildings completed.
The school has a host of high-profile former students, including RTE's George Lee, campaigner Niall Mellon and golfer Padraig Harrington.
Meanwhile, Ms Coughlan said she was "hopeful" that all of the members of the Oireachtas understood how serious the present economic situation was.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Education cuts plan 'threatens 2,000 jobs' [Independent.ie]
- Published: 11 November 2010
THE Government is considering drastic cuts in education which could see the loss of up to 2,000 jobs, the Irish Independent has learned.
Also included is the introduction of transport charges for primary school pupils for the first time and cuts in spending at all levels of education.
The list has caused tensions within the coalition with the Greens setting out non-negotiables, including changes in the pupil-teacher ratio.
Negotiations with Fianna Fail ministers continues today.
It is understood the cuts on the table include the following:
- A worsening of the pupil- teacher ratio in primary and post-primary schools which will mean the loss of 1,100 posts.
- A reduction of 500 special-needs assistants.
- Ending preferential ratios for gaelscoileanna.
- A 10pc cut in the capitation grants given to schools for every pupil.
- A 5pc cut in higher education spending.
- A €150m cut in the school building programme.
- An increase in exam fees for the Leaving and Junior Cert.
