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A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>Alex Fuertes Roper: ‘Our main message to the Government is that we need it to invest in more publicly owned and purpose-built student accommodation in Cork.’ File Picture: Larry Cummins</p>

spotlight

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

<p>A visualisation of BAM’s planned student apartments on Sullivan’s Quay in Cork, viewed from the Grand Parade. <span class="contextmenu emphasis textWhite">Image: Pedersen Focus</span>
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comment-analysis

Students 'denied full college experience' by lack of apartments

<p class="contextmenu internal_Caption">In ‘The Matrix’ (1999), one of the characters ‘learns’ to fly a helicopter instantaneously. Using AI may be superficially attractive but it can come at the cost of ‘long learning’. Picture: Warner Bros</p>

comment-analysis

Learning is complex, messy, emotional: AI can’t replicate that

Beautiful woman examines cell culture under microscope

munster

Many girls in Ireland still miss out on STEM careers due to legacy issues

Shortage of third-level education through Irish having a 'crippling' impact, committee hears

news

Shortage of third-level education through Irish having a 'crippling' impact, committee hears

Female entrepreneur drawing on whiteboard

news

Over 1,000 teaching posts still unfilled as schools struggle with core subjects

Fine Gael TDs defend minister after Fianna Fáil criticism over schools investment

Fine Gael TDs defend minister after Fianna Fáil criticism over schools investment

Fianna Fáil 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 Cailín Ciúin' 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 Sealbhú'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

Female teacher holding up a book in front of her class of elementary school kids sitting on the floor in a classroom, side view

Teachers and parents are partners, not opponents

Yes, interactions with parents can contribute to burnout — but teachers are primarily focused on the wellbeing of children, write Pia O’Farrell, Catherine Furlong, & Sabrina Fitzsimons

Tue, 09 Dec, 2025

Primary school stock

Teacher burnout crisis deepens as parents demand constant contact and extra work — study

A DCU study of 1,000 teachers reveals rising burnout driven by parental pressure, staff shortages and unmet special needs supports

Tue, 09 Dec, 2025

Students sitting in amphitheater

'Student accommodation will be unaffordable' if plan to permit more rent hikes goes through

UCC Students' Union says rent may deter people from third-level education and calls for more publicly-funded apartments

Mon, 08 Dec, 2025

Proposal to allow more rent hikes for student accommodation to attract developers to sector

Proposal to allow more rent hikes for student accommodation to attract developers to sector

Higher Education and Housing are at odds over how often student accommodation rents can return to market rates under RPZ rules

Sat, 06 Dec, 2025

Mid adult professor teaching a lecture from desktop PC at computer lab.

Department not 'in denial' over teacher recruitment and retention, says senior official

Assistant secretary Aoife Conduit said: 'More than 97% of allocated posts are filled, which is a strong indicator of system resilience.'

Thu, 04 Dec, 2025

Cost of living crisis

More than a third of post-primary students exempt from Irish are at Deis schools

A record number of post-primary students are exempt from studying Irish, with disadvantaged Deis schools disproportionately affected

Wed, 03 Dec, 2025

Technological universities set to appoint professors for the first time

Technological universities set to appoint professors for the first time

A senior source said that there is 'capacity in the current allocation to fund the appointment initially of five professors in each technological university'

Tue, 02 Dec, 2025

Colleges will be asked to help deliver 42,000 student beds

Colleges will be asked to help deliver 42,000 student beds

Universities and other third-level institutions will be urged to negotiate directly with private accommodation providers as part of the Government’s new student accommodation strategy

Mon, 01 Dec, 2025

Children’s science museum: How a 20-year €70m plan became a political ‘omnishambles’

Children’s science museum: How a 20-year €70m plan became a political ‘omnishambles’

A €70m State children’s museum remains unrealised after two decades of shifting plans, political resistance, and relentless lobbying by its earliest champions

Sun, 30 Nov, 2025

Autism class shortages: Families say NCSE vacancy claims don’t match reality on the ground

Autism class shortages: Families say NCSE vacancy claims don’t match reality on the ground

Parents, SNAs and principals say official claims of special class vacancies ignore the daily reality of rejection, shortages and unmet needs

Sat, 29 Nov, 2025

Elementary School Coat Rack: Backpacks

Parents funding the education system to the tune of €23m annually, Oireachtas committee hears

Shortfalls in funding intended to cover day-to-day running costs means schools turn to fundraising and voluntary contributions

Wed, 26 Nov, 2025

Government may cut number of student visas for English language students, minister says

Government may cut number of student visas for English language students, minister says

Justice minister Jim O’Callaghan said: 'International protection is probably a small percentage of the number of people who come into the country'

Mon, 24 Nov, 2025

Veterinarian with syringe on farm

Veterinary medicine school launched in bid to almost double number of trained vets

Students previously wanting to study veterinary medicine were limited to one just course in Ireland

Mon, 24 Nov, 2025

CUBS project scrapped: UCC pulls plug on €17m Cork city centre business school plan

CUBS project scrapped: UCC pulls plug on €17m Cork city centre business school plan

UCC has quietly stepped back from its flagship Cork University Business School project, despite millions already spent and years of preparation

Sat, 22 Nov, 2025