Hanafin warms them up, then leaves them cold

THIS much was for sure. The applause was spontaneous when INTO president Austin Corcoran referred to last September’s replacement of Education Minister Noel Dempsey by Mary Hanafin.

But what was uncertain was if the 750 delegates were cheering the departure of the Meath man or the arrival of the former Government chief whip to the head of the department.

Unquestionably, there is a feeling Ms Hanafin has a clear understanding of the difficulties faced by teachers in classrooms. Neither is there any doubt about her sincerity in expressing a wish to improve the lot of pupils, particularly those less well-off or with special needs.