Education

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

Michael Clifford
Mick Clifford: In the SNA storm, who is really standing up for children with greatest needs?
School stock
Ciara Reilly: Definition of need has changed to save money on SNAs
Pause to planned special needs assistant allocation review feels neither reassuring nor meaningful. We’ll be here again unless big changes happen, writes teacher Ciara Reilly

Tue, 17 Feb, 2026

'No cuts to SNA numbers': Controversial review paused following backlash
'No cuts to SNA numbers': Controversial review paused following backlash
Education minister Hildegarde Naughton confirmed in a statement that there will be 'no cuts to SNA numbers'

Tue, 17 Feb, 2026

'It’s simply not possible': Cork principal hits out at SNA cuts
'It’s simply not possible': Cork principal hits out at SNA cuts
Education Correspondent Jess Casey hears from parents and teachers about their fears amid NCSE review of special needs assistants

Tue, 17 Feb, 2026

'Flabbergasting' move to cut SNAs in schools 'will set education back 30 years'
'Flabbergasting' move to cut SNAs in schools 'will set education back 30 years'
Parents and teachers respond to 'mystifying' cutback on special needs assistants following NCSE review 

Tue, 17 Feb, 2026

Inclusive Cork school left waiting for autism classes — as parents fund new sensory space
Inclusive Cork school left waiting for autism classes — as parents fund new sensory space
Scoil Eoin in Ballincollig has yet to get funds for three autism spectrum disorder classes already sanctioned by the NCSE

Mon, 16 Feb, 2026

Almost 200 schools to face SNA cuts in September, education minister confirms
Almost 200 schools to face SNA cuts in September, education minister confirms
FĂłrsa raised concerns after dozens of mainstream schools were told last week of a reduction in their allocations of SNAs

Mon, 16 Feb, 2026

Teacher at work
Teacher accused of using false qualifications and experience in 25 job applications in Cork
The inquiry heard the teacher had only obtained a score of 12 out of 140 at an interview for a job with St Aidan’s Community College in Cork

Mon, 16 Feb, 2026

Leaving Certificate results
Feeder school data is misleading and old-fashioned
Narrow framing of 'success' in education is based on a flawed understanding of how modern schools work — and how children really thrive

Mon, 16 Feb, 2026

UCC students commuting before dawn as housing crisis fuels daily parking battle
UCC students commuting before dawn as housing crisis fuels daily parking battle
Sky-high rents and a lack of public student housing are forcing UCC students into long commutes and daily parking stress

Mon, 09 Feb, 2026

Students 'denied full college experience' by lack of apartments
Students 'denied full college experience' by lack of apartments
While thousands of apartments have been built in Cork recently, high costs and regulatory uncertainty have slowed delivery of much-needed student accommodation, writes Emer Walsh

Mon, 09 Feb, 2026

Learning is complex, messy, emotional: AI can’t replicate that
Learning is complex, messy, emotional: AI can’t replicate that
ChatGPT and other AI tools may seem irresistible. But educators should beware, as they could end up trading away the thing that gives them value — the rich experience of slow learning

Thu, 05 Feb, 2026

Beautiful woman examines cell culture under microscope
Many girls in Ireland still miss out on STEM careers due to legacy issues
IWish warns legacy issues and low investment still restrict Irish girls from STEM subjects, risking future careers in AI and technology

Thu, 05 Feb, 2026

Shortage of third-level education through Irish having a 'crippling' impact, committee hears
Shortage of third-level education through Irish having a 'crippling' impact, committee hears
Less than 1% of third level students undertake a course taught through Irish

Wed, 04 Feb, 2026

Female entrepreneur drawing on whiteboard
Over 1,000 teaching posts still unfilled as schools struggle with core subjects
Maths, Irish, and home economics had the most unfilled posts

Wed, 04 Feb, 2026

Fine Gael TDs defend minister after Fianna FĂĄil criticism over schools investment
Fine Gael TDs defend minister after Fianna FĂĄil criticism over schools investment
Fianna FĂĄil TD Malcolm Byrne said he would not apologise for 'representing schools within my constituency', while questioning the criteria to select projects to prioritise

Thu, 29 Jan, 2026

Principals call for extension to hot meals programme as 'food poverty is increasingly visible'
Principals call for extension to hot meals programme as 'food poverty is increasingly visible'
Lack of food provision during the school holidays a 'critical issue'

Wed, 28 Jan, 2026

School children in classroom
Several autism classes waiting for dedicated buildings
At least two primary schools approved to set up autism classes last September have yet to open buildings for their students

Mon, 26 Jan, 2026

Extremist views widespread in England's classrooms, say teachers
One in three pupils in disadvantaged schools missing a month or more of class, ESRI finds
New ESRI analysis shows chronic absenteeism remains entrenched in disadvantaged and special schools despite years passing since Covid

Mon, 26 Jan, 2026

Kids Having Fun
Jess Casey: Being a gifted child is no advantage in our education system
Education specialists and the mother of a 'twice-exceptional' child explode the myth that 'the bright kids in the class will be fine by themselves'

Sun, 25 Jan, 2026

Mick Clifford: Why the Enoch Burke saga is bigger than one teacher or one school
Mick Clifford: Why the Enoch Burke saga is bigger than one teacher or one school
The Enoch Burke case highlights legal uncertainty, policy paralysis and how culture-war politics risk eclipsing students’ real needs

Sun, 25 Jan, 2026

Parents arguing and scolding their sad daughter at home
Sarah Harte: Too many parents are failing to teach their children basic respect
Happily, we've moved on from labelling children as 'good' or 'bad' — but parents must be able to tell them their behaviour is 'right' or 'wrong'

Wed, 21 Jan, 2026

Third-level course sponsored by Greyhound Racing Ireland branded as 'cynical' 
Third-level course sponsored by Greyhound Racing Ireland branded as 'cynical' 
Animal welfare campaigners accuse Greyhound Racing Ireland of deflecting scrutiny as TUS launches new accredited industry courses

Tue, 20 Jan, 2026

Cabinet meeting
Minister got flood of complaints from students, parents, and TDs about potential fees hike
One parent told the minister: 'I have three still at home not able to afford their first house and now college is in doubt'

Mon, 19 Jan, 2026

Cyberattack expected to cost South East Technological University €2.3m
Cyberattack expected to cost South East Technological University €2.3m
It left staff and students without internet access or access to internal emails

Mon, 19 Jan, 2026

Royal High School
Autistic girl's family told to seek special school place in other counties
Autistic girl's mother, Áine Curtin, says: 'It's not just me... They have kids getting on buses in Cork and going to schools in Kerry'

Mon, 19 Jan, 2026

James Lawless comments
Bid to woo US talent 'misguided and insulting', say Irish researchers
Launch of Global Talent Initiative leaves Irish researchers 'deeply disillusioned' despite empathy with colleagues as American scientific institutions 'decimated'  

Mon, 19 Jan, 2026

Knock Basilica, Ireland
Help from clergy changed lives of many students from most deprived areas
As Ireland rethinks school patronage, new research reveals the unseen ways clergy shaped lives and enabled social mobility in disadvantaged communities, writes Helen Lowe

Mon, 19 Jan, 2026

'Absolutely criminal' Cork's largest school campus still has no grass playing pitches
'Absolutely criminal' Cork's largest school campus still has no grass playing pitches
Councillors say nearly 1,500 pupils are denied outdoor sports facilities despite pitches being a condition of planning permission

Wed, 14 Jan, 2026

NCSE refusal leaves non-verbal autistic boy without access to special education
NCSE refusal leaves non-verbal autistic boy without access to special education
Family says delayed Camhs assessment left them unable to meet a newly introduced NCSE deadline for special school eligibility

Tue, 13 Jan, 2026

Library to be named in memory of murdered Cork woman 
Library to be named in memory of murdered Cork woman 
Karen Guinee had newly qualified as a doctor when she was killed by her boyfriend Patrick “Pa” Hogan, 27, in June 2006. 

Mon, 12 Jan, 2026

Mick Clifford: When a written exam exposed an uncomfortable truth in third-level education
S Mick Clifford: When a written exam exposed an uncomfortable truth in third-level education
An extraordinary exam saga has reignited debate about overseas student recruitment, English proficiency standards, and the pressures facing Irish universities

Mon, 12 Jan, 2026

School attendance figures
Parents raise alarm at repurposing of special classes
Re-classification of early intervention classes as autism classes is raising concerns, writes Education Correspondent Jess Casey

Mon, 12 Jan, 2026

Young Scientist: Kerry student wins top prize for 'extraordinary' brain cancer diagnostic tool
Young Scientist: Kerry student wins top prize for 'extraordinary' brain cancer diagnostic tool
Tralee 15-year-old Aoibheann Daly is hailed for her 'extraordinary achievement' which could help doctors improve the treatment of brain cancer

Fri, 09 Jan, 2026

Irish now: Gaeilge through games rather than grammar
Irish now: Gaeilge through games rather than grammar
Jess Casey discovers how activities such as dodgeball in UCC’s Barr na gCnoc initiative give children a natural entry into the Irish language 

Mon, 05 Jan, 2026

Irish now: Gaeilge revival is at odds with what’s happening in secondary schools 
Irish now: Gaeilge revival is at odds with what’s happening in secondary schools 
From Kneecap and CMAT ag canadh as gaeilge, to 'An CailĂ­n CiĂșin' at the Oscars, and people spontaneously using the language every day, Irish has erupted — our education system is scrambling to catch up 

Mon, 05 Jan, 2026

School bus
Tipperary parents furious after special school transport cancelled on New Year’s Eve
Families were left distraught after being told disability school transport was cancelled, before Bus Éireann reversed the decision following pressure

Sun, 04 Jan, 2026

Third-level fees to further reduce permanently in this year's budget, minister says
Third-level fees to further reduce permanently in this year's budget, minister says
Government delivered a permanent €500 fee cut in October’s budget, reducing the amount paid by students from €3,000 a year to €2,500

Fri, 02 Jan, 2026

Young people want to speak Irish — educators need a new approach to help them learn
Young people want to speak Irish — educators need a new approach to help them learn
DCU SealbhĂș's consultation with students, parents, and teachers is timely given the upsurge of interest in Gaeilge evident in popular culture

Thu, 01 Jan, 2026

Teacher Helping Students Training To Be Electricians
'Sloppiness' in electrical apprenticeship exams makes reform 'essential' – minister
Higher education minister says wider reform of further education and training agency Solas is needed

Tue, 30 Dec, 2025

Mid adult professor teaching a lecture from desktop PC at computer lab.
Crackdown planned on 'bogus' schools acting as back door for immigration
English language schools and other institutions will have to meet new quality mark criteria laid down by TrustEd Ireland

Tue, 30 Dec, 2025

Education cost and fee concept
Department of Education flooded with queries after schools seek illegal enrolment fees
Parents contacted the department after schools sought enrolment payments, despite a legal ban on registration and re-enrolment fees

Sat, 27 Dec, 2025

Formal primary school tests
Young the most positive towards Gaeilge in class, report says
More than 70% agreed that every child should have the right to receive an education through Irish at every level of the education system

Sat, 20 Dec, 2025

Greystar expands its student accommodation portfolio
Greystar expands its student accommodation portfolio
The complexes added to their Irish portfolio are in Dublin and Galway

Fri, 19 Dec, 2025

Female entrepreneur drawing on whiteboard
School staff injuries: Hundreds of teachers and SNAs forced off work after classroom incidents
New data shows more than 1,700 teachers and SNAs required assault leave since 2020, with unions warning the system offers inadequate protection

Wed, 10 Dec, 2025

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