TUI in the Media

TUI General Secretary John MacGabhann interviewed on Morning Ireland about the TUI executive decision to recommend that members vote no to the LRC proposals on a Public Service Agreement – 28/2/13. He said says the proposals are unacceptable and disproportionately impact on lower-paid teachers. Listen here.

Opposition to Croke Park II gathers pace – Irish Times 28/2/13
The Teachers' Union of Ireland, the Civil Public and Services Union and the Irish Federation of University Teachers each said last night that they will be recommending rejection of the deal in ballots of their members.

Teacher unions urge no to Croke Park deal – Irish Examiner 28/2/13
Two of the country’s teacher bodies became the latest unions to advise members to ballot against accepting the terms of the Croke Park II. The executive of the Teachers’ Union of Ireland, which represents second and third-level teachers, met yesterday to discuss how the €1bn in savings being sought by the Government would impact upon its 15,500 members.

Afterwards general secretary John MacGabhann said his executive believed the suite of measures proposed were “excessively draconian” and that the best way to address the financial situation was through taxation. He also said there was a deep mistrust of the Government as people had signed up to the first Croke Park deal on the basis that it would not be revisited.

Teacher unions tell members to reject new deal – Irish Independent 28/2/13

UNIONS representing second-level teachers and third-level lecturers are telling members to reject Croke Park II. Executives of the Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) and the Irish Federation of University Teachers (IFUT) decided unanimously yesterday to seek a "no" vote in forthcoming ballots.
John MacGabhann, general secretary of TUI, which represents second-level teachers and lecturers in institutes of technology, said last night that there were a number of reasons for the executive's decision. He said the Croke Park II pay terms were unpalatable, the proposals contained a number of ambiguities, while problems relating to casualisation at both second and third-level had not been addressed. Mr MacGabhann said they planned to have their ballot concluded ahead of the TUI annual conference in the first week of April.

Teaching unions say no to pay cuts in Croke Park II – Daily Mail 28/2/13
TWO teaching unions are to advise their members to reject the new Croke Park II agreement on pay and hours. The national executive of the Teachers’ Union of Ireland, which represents secondary school teachers, last night said it would recommend its 15,000 members vote against the deal.

Teachers set to say no – Daily Mirror 28/2/13
TWO teachers’ unions have advised their members to reject the new Croke Park II Agreement. The Teachers’ Union of Ireland said it would recommend that its 15,000 members vote against the agreement.

Civil service union’s rank and file reject Croke Park II as strike nears – Evening Herald 28/2/13
Two teachers unions – the Teachers’ Union of Ireland the Irish Federation of University Teachers – have said they would be recommending rejection of the deal.

Unions warn college merger plan will hurt staff and students - Irish Independent 17/1/13 The Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) represents about 4,000 lecturers in institutes of technology.Deputy general secretary Annette Dolan said there was an unfair targeting of that IT sector, while universities escaped unscathed.

Ms Dolan said that the publication of the HEA document was "extremely badly timed", coming as it does at the start of negotiations between unions and public service management on an extension the Cork Park Agreement.She said: "It is an uncertain and confusing time for workers across the public service and this ill-timed act by the HEA will add more uncertainty and lead to further stress and concern for our members."

Institutes move ahead with TU status plan - Irish Examiner 17/1/13

The Teachers’ Union of Ireland said the HEA document is a kite-flying exercise that attempts to influence ongoing consultations. "The significant changes proposed in terms of mergers would have a more negative impact on the institute of technology sector while the universities appear to escape largely unscathed," said TUI deputy general secretary Annette Dolan.

Southeast university still under review - Irish Times 17/1/13

The Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI) described the report as a kite-flying exercise. "The proposals as set out undervalue and unfairly target the institute of technology sector which caters for the same number of students as the university sector while costing considerably less," said TUI Deputy General Secretary Annette Dolan.

TUI position that publication of a HEA discussion document on the future of the third level sector is a 'kite-flying exercise' cited during discussion on the issue - Today FM, The Last Word show, 16/1/13

Letter on the CAO points race in the Irish Independent by TUI Education/Research Officer, Bernie Judge - 14/1/13

I read the article on the CAO points race (Irish Independent, January 9) with interest, in spite of the gratuitous and glib headline that announced it.

By choosing a headline that takes a trite swipe at teachers, you ill-serve the article, which addresses a matter of genuine importance; and you do no justice to the efforts of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment to provide evidence-based data to inform an exploration of new approaches to the transition from second to third level.

Teachers have long acknowledged – with regret – the fact that the CAO points system for school leavers has a 'backwash' effect on teaching and learning. However, teachers are tasked with preparing their students for the Leaving Certificate exams and will not be thanked by anybody if they choose not to concentrate on that task.

The article states – correctly – that 'teaching to the test' is at the root of criticism of grind schools. Disappointingly, it fails to clarify that the practices of grind schools have shaped what parents and the wider community have come to expect of teachers.

It is a matter of public record that the Teachers' Union of Ireland supports a review of the selection system for entry to third-level education with particular reference to the CAO points system. In this regard, we welcome and endorse the key principles underpinning the review, as set out by Professor Aine Hyland.

Teacher’s Pet – Irish Times 18/12/12
Is there an unexpected landmine in the education budget, namely the increase in the pupil-teacher ratio for post-Leaving Cert programmes? The TUI says the change will result in the loss of 200 whole-time equivalent posts.

An irresponsible attack on further education – extract from opinion editorial by
TUI President Gerard Craughwell in Irish Examiner 14/12/12
Budget 2013 was a black day for anybody involved in further education in Ireland as a result of the unjustifiable cutback in the staffing of further education and post-Leaving Certificate courses (FE/PLC)… Now, at a time when the educational attainment of the population is a national economic priority, it beggars belief that the Government has inflicted such an irresponsible cut on the FE/PLC sector by worsening the pupil-teacher ratio by two full points… This budget measure is counter-productive. It will lead to further educational inequality and societal division. Now is the time for all who seek quality and diversity in education and equity in society to make it clear that this is an intolerable cutback which the minister and Government simply must revisit.
Teacher’s Pet – Irish Times 18/12/12
Is there an unexpected landmine in the education budget, namely the increase in the pupil-teacher ratio for post-Leaving Cert programmes? The TUI says the change will result in the loss of 200 whole-time equivalent posts.

Psychologists support Shannon’s school friends and teachers - Irish Examiner, 14/12/12 Teachers’ Union of Ireland president Gerard Craughwell said schools must be able to give the proper follow-up supports after traumatic events affecting students. But, he said, the restricted availability of guidance counsellors in some schools because to budget cutbacks is a big issue in the day-to-day running of schools.

He said there are huge problems arising from new staffing arrangements since September, under which schools must now count guidance counsellors within their overall teacher allocations. Previously they were additional to standard staffing numbers, meaning counsellors at some schools are now timetabled to teach classes to avoid loss of subjects or bigger classes elsewhere.

Hidden costs could affect grant recipients - Irish Examiner, 7/12/12 The Teachers’ Union of Ireland said increased pupil-teacher ratios on post-Leaving Certificate courses, resulting in the loss of 200 teaching jobs, and reduced payments to some unemployed people on further education and training, fly in the face of Government commitments to labour market activation.

Minister should've been much harder on those who earn most - Irish Daily Mail, 6/12/12 In response to the Budget, TUI executive member and secondary teachers, Colm Kelly criticised the increase in class size for PLC courses and also highlighted the cuts in allowances which have been introduced for new teachers.

Teachers to lose extra six weeks' maternity leave, saving €20 million - Sunday Times, 2/12/12 John MacGabhann, general secretary of the Teachers Union of Ireland said the 375 teachers earning over €100,00 could only be principals who had more than 35 years' working experience and in schools with at least 700 pupils. "Having said that, we do believe that those on higher salaries should pay more," MacGabhann said. "We would encourage the government to make the tax system more progressive, to make sure that all highly paid individuals are paying enough through the taxation system."

€2 million tax-break boost for schools (the wealthy ones that is) - Irish Daily Mail 30/11/12 Annette Dolan of the TUI said better-off schools were benefitting from the scheme which was introduced by Education Minister Ruairi Quinn when he was finance minister in the Nineties. "I find it incredible in the current climate that we are in, that every taxpayer in the country is paying to advantage the wealthier schools more," she said. "That's unfair and inequitable and that scheme needs to be scrapped."

TUI Deputy General Secretary Annette Dolan interviewed on RTE News bulletins criticises tax break scheme that unfairly advantages wealthier schools, 29/11/12

Post-primary salary can fall to €6,000, says TUI - Irish Times 16/11/12
A significant number of post-primary teachers are now earning as little as €6,000 to €12,000 a year so drastic has the cut in their hours been, said senior Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) officials yesterday.
Speaking before he addressed the annual conference of the Principals’ and Deputy Principals’ Association in Sligo, TUI general secretary John MacGabhann said incomes were being slashed as teachers all over the country experience a dramatic cut in the number of hours they get each week…. He said getting a mortgage and paying rent was increasingly a struggle for teachers who, contrary to the image of having a comfortable well-paid job, were experiencing income poverty. He said post-primary schools in every county had teachers on these tiny incomes.
The TUI boss said that 30 per cent of post-primary teachers and third-level lecturers represented by the union were part-time.

Knockout the Bullies - The Irish Sun 2/11/12
Teachers Union of Ireland spokeswoman Bernie Judge said cuts to resources have reduced teachers’ ability to deal with bullying. She explained: “The removal of the provision of guidance counsellors is a huge problem here.
“The expertise we had in the area has been diverted back into the classroom. Many schools have lost very senior posts, some of whom would have given a good bit of time to pastoral care” And Judge believes a wider societal response is needed as teachers cannot solely be responsible for tackling bullying.

Unions promise to overturn teachers' pay cuts – Irish Times 25/10/12
Teachers Union of Ireland president Gerry Craughwell said his union was committed to a campaign against the savage, sustained and disproportionate attack on the pay of new entrants to the teaching profession since 2011.
“We will mobilise all teachers in defence of the profession and to restore equal pay for equal work. A teaching colleague being paid at a lesser rate is wrong, damaging and an anathema to collegiality.’’
This race to the bottom, he said, will eventually impoverish everybody and will deprive the country of one of its most important competitive advantages – a high-quality, highly regarded public education system.
Mr Craughwell also railed at the increasing casualisation of teaching. Many of our talented, enthusiastic new teachers and lecturers are attempting to survive, he said, in part-time positions, with mere fragments of jobs.
“They are struggling to build a career on incomes which don’t provide a basic standard of living. The TUI is here to demand that these teachers have a right to jobs not just hours.”

'This was not a troika call, it was the Government's' – Irish Independent 25/10/12
TUI president Gerry Craughwell blasted the cuts as "irresponsible and unjustifiable -- may I remind Minister Quinn that his party was founded on the backs of workers and trade unionists", he said to cheers.
He described as "fundamental of democracy" the ability "to speak out and question authority".

Protesting teachers warn they will fight further education cuts – Irish Examiner 25/10/12
TUI president Gerry Craughwell warned education cuts do not heal.
"Any further cuts to the education system will have a profound effect on our society, on our young people and on our chances of economic recovery," said Mr Craughwell.
"We currently have a situation whereby many of our talented, enthusiastic new teachers and lecturers are attempting to survive in part-time positions, with mere fragments of jobs.
“They are struggling to build a career on incomes which don’t provide a basic standard of living."

Slash and Burn for Teachers’ Pay Deals, Quinn to abolish 80 allowances in swingeing cuts – Irish Daily Mail 25/10/12
TUI General Secretary John MacGabhann said: “Our view hasn’t changed and that is that allowances are part of the rate of pay for our jobs. The department has obvioulsy been given its riding instructions, but we will keep to our view that pay comprises allowances and that has been consistently our view. The message is the same, Croke Parj protects pay, and allowances form part of pay.”

TUI General Secretary John MacGabhann interviewed on RTE Radio 1's Drivetime programme about teacher protest, 24/10/12
He said that “even the new, unsatisfactory pay rate is a pipedream because young teachers are being employed on fractions of jobs, on hours. So there is an enormous problem in terms of the casualisation of teaching where people don’t get a toe hold, they don’t get an emotional hold on the job. And we are doing less than justice to them and to the students they teach if we don’t at least consolidate what jobs there are into real jobs”.

Letter by TUI President on Junior Cert reforms – Irish Times 18/10/12

Sir, – I wish to strongly refute the assertion that the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) had signed off on the Minister for Education’s proposed radical changes to the Junior Cycle (Teacher’s Pet, October 16th).

As part of its engagement on the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) Council and on the Junior Cycle Review Committee, TUI representatives fought long and hard for the retention of an externally assessed terminal exam and for the external moderation of school- based work. TUI endorsement of any proposed changes in the NCCA framework document has always been contingent on the availability of adequate resources to manage and implement effective and real “change”. This was emphatically conveyed to the NCCA and the Department of Education on numerous occasions.

The Minister for Education’s announcement has side-lined these important issues. In addition, the Minister’s unilateral decision to replace State certification with school certification was done without any consultation with the teacher unions. We are extremely concerned about this and believe it is poor practice in the formulation of educational policy.

Any changes introduced to the Junior Cycle must maintain the credibility and integrity of the assessment process to ensure public confidence. The removal of external moderation poses a real threat to this. TUI is also concerned that the proposed transformation of the Junior Certificate from a State examination to an internal school assessment process may have a long-term impact on consistency and standards. Under the proposed new model, those schools which have access to the most resources will have a distinct advantage over other schools. This will act to copper-fasten and exaggerate current inequalities.

In respect of any new assessment methods, TUI’s long-held position is that time, external moderation, in-service training and payment where appropriate must be provided. Under these conditions and provided it is adequately resourced, TUI has always been a strong advocate of, and is deeply committed, to curriculum change. – Yours, etc,

GERARD P CRAUGHWELL,
President,
Teachers’ Union of Ireland,
Orwell Road, Rathgar, Dublin 6.

Teachers Revolt - Laois Nationalist 16/10/12
Article about industrial action by TUI members in Laois VEC over teacher transfers.

Letter in Leinster Leader from TUI Vice President Gerry Quinn regarding the elimination of the Qualification Allowances for new entrants 9/10/12

Single pay scale required for teachers
DEAR Sir,
All teachers are abhorred by the ehmination of qualification allowances which will see colleagues being paid at different rates for carrying out the same work. Too many young teachers were already struggling to make ends meet due to contracts on low numbers of hours, but this cut to new entrant salaries is another devastating blow to the profession.
The removal of a further 700teachers from Irish second level schools this September as a result of the cut to guidance counselling provision has impacted severely on the services available to students and the career prospects of young teachers.
The Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI) fully understands the frustration of young teachers at the current time and we are committed to a vigorous campaign to restore a single pay scale for all teachers.
A race to the bottom in terms of salaries will ultimately drive the best and brightest young graduates away from the profession and students will suffer as a result.
Gerry Quinn
Vice President, Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI)

TUI Vice President Gerry Quinn speaks on Frontline about fee-paying schools 08/10/12

TUI General Secretary John MacGabhann interviewed on RTE The Week in Politics about the possibility of a cut to the state subvention for fee paying schools 07/10/12

TUI Past President Bernie Ruane discusses Junior Cert reform on Clare FM Morning Focus 05/10/12

TUI General Secretary John MacGabhann discusses Junior Cert reform on Northern Sound News at One 05/10/12

TUI position on Junior Certificate reform outlined on RTE’s Morning Ireland programme 5/10/12

TUI position on changes to Junior Certificate outlined on Newstalk’s Breakfast programme 5/10/12

Teachers and opposition parties attack Quinn's Junior Cert reforms - thejournal.ie 5/10/12

Teachers' unions express concern at proposed reform – Irish Times 5/10/12
TEACHERS’ UNIONS were the dissenting voices amid an overwhelmingly positive reaction to the proposed reform of the Junior Cert announced by Minister for Education and Skills Ruairí Quinn yesterday.
Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) general secretary John Mac Gabhann claimed the reforms were driven by budgetary rather than educational reasons.
He also raised concerns about the downgrading of the Junior Cert from a high-stakes exam to an internal school assessment process. “Any changes introduced must maintain the credibility and integrity of the assessment to ensure public confidence,” he said.
The abolition of the Junior Cert as a State examination was described as “deeply regrettable” by the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (ASTI).
General secretary Pat King said: “The Junior Cert is seen as having a high status by students, parents and teachers. It is this high status which provides a focus for student motivation, learning and achievement at junior cycle level.
He expressed concern at the idea of replacing the State-awarded Junior Cert with a school-awarded certificate, saying the idea that they could hold the same status was “grossly naive”.
IBEC, the group that represents Irish business, welcomed the reforms. Its head of education policy, Tony Donohoe, said the reform, if handled correctly, “could prove to be the most important education reform of recent years”.
“Business needs employees with the capacity to analyse, communicate, be creative, manage information and work with others. The new curriculum should provide an opportunity to develop these types of attributes and skills from an early age,” he said.
The pledge to introduce standardised testing in the area of science was welcomed by the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland, which has consistently called for science to be made compulsory for Junior Cert students.
The changes were also welcomed by the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD). “There will be some anxiety among the partners, but the principles and values at the heart of the junior cycle framework will stand the test of time and Irish education will be the richer for this reform,” said NAPD director Clive Byrne.
Irish Second-Level Students’ Union education officer Brendan Power said: “The new junior cycle has the capacity to revolutionise the educational experience of future second-level students in Ireland.”

Irish Times Q&A extract 5/10/12
All very well. But I presume teacher unions are up in arms?
You are right. The ASTI say the abolition of the old exam is “regrettable”. The TUI say the whole thing is driven by the need for cost savings. (The Department claims savings in exam costs will be offset by the more than €10 million earmarked for more in-service training.) Both teacher unions say teachers will be expected to implement this new programme without the necessary resources and financial support.
Otherwise, the new measures have drawn a chorus of approval from education experts, industry leaders, university presidents and everyone else you might care to mention.

Quinn: Radical reforms will end teaching to the text - Irish Examiner front page 5/10/12
The Teachers’ Union of Ireland said there was serious concern about increased workload against a background of slashes to school staffing and other cutbacks. Mr Quinn rejected the TUI’s assertion that key elements of the plan were driven by budgetary rather than educational rationale. He said significant professional development for teachers and principals would start next year.

Teachers balk at new exams – Irish Daily Mail 5/10/12
Teachers were last night taking a firm stand against plans to scrap the Junior Cert for more pupil-friendly assessments…But John MacGabhann, general secretary of the Teachers’ Union of Ireland, said staff would need extra pay and training in return for change. The new secondary school certificate will be based 40 per cent on coursework and 60 per cent on examinations. ‘Clearly, there is a serious concern about the increased workload for teachers,’ he added…. Mr MacGabhann of the TUI also said that the need for external moderation was one of his union’s ‘long-held positions.’ He added: ‘Clearly, there is a serious concern about increased workload for teachers as a result of these changes. This must be looked at in a context where schools have had staffing allocations slashed and have suffered a litany of other cutbacks to vital programmes.’….The unions said they only found out about the plan when it was announced by Mr Quinn. ‘We are disappointed that teachers as practitioners were not specifically consulted with on these proposals. This is poor practice in the formulation of educational policy,’ Mr MacGabhann said.

Teachers to get no extra pay during Junior Cert overhaul – Irish Independent 5/10/12
SECONDARY school teachers will not get any extra pay for doing more work in the radical overhaul of the Junior Certificate……But the Teachers Union of Ireland general Secretary John MacGabhann warned that teachers would need to get payments if the new system imposed extra bureaucracy or new duties on them.
"Clearly, there is a serious concern about increased workload for teachers as a result of these proposed changes," he said.

Teachers not told of Junior Cert change – The Star 5/10/12
Teachers were fuming last night that they weren’t properly consulted on the Government’s radical overhaul of the Junior Cert – which was welcomed by business chiefs. The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) said it was disappointed that teachers were not consulted on the proposals, which it claimed may be designed to save money rather than improve education standards. TUI general secretary John MacGabhann said: “We are disappointed that teachers as practitioners were not specifically consulted on these proposals. This is poor practice in the formulation of education policy.”

Dead certs – Junior exams to be scrapped in 3 years and replaced with student assessments – Irish Mirror 5/10/12
(extract) The Teachers’ Union of Ireland said it had concerns about in-house grading. General secretary John MacGabhann added: “My understanding is there will be a common paper but the expectation would be that teachers would run and mark the examination papers. If the State is going to gather data on the basis of these results, how is the State going to establish that there is a common approach across the sector?”

TUI representatives interviewed in national radio interviews on concerns related to Junior Certificate changes 4/10/12

Our teachers deserve proper jobs and proper pay – opinion editorial by TUI general secretary John MacGabhann in Irish Times outlines the huge problem of casualisation in second level schools where teachers are employed to work small numbers of hours for several years rather than full-time contracts.
“Among the most damaging effects of the cutbacks in education is the casualisation of teaching and lecturing. Ironically, this is exacerbated by the abuse of legislation intended to protect employees against abuse. Many teachers and lecturers are experiencing severe income poverty because they struggle on fixed-term – which is to say temporary – contracts in part-time positions, mere fragments of jobs.”
Click here to read full article - Irish Times 2/10/12

Training advised for teachers to deal with disruptive behaviour at school – Irish Times 2/10/12
TEACHERS SHOULD receive specialist training in how to manage disruptive behaviour in school, an advisory group to the Minister for Education has said. The National Council for Special Education recommends that one teacher in every school in the country attend a three-day seminar on how to prevent difficult behaviour and how to manage it when it occurs….However the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) today warned that the loss of teachers in schools as a result of cutbacks was extremely damaging to the promotion of positive behaviour in the classroom. TUI general secretary John MacGabhann said the loss of 700 teachers in second level schools from last month due to changes to guidance counselling provision would have worsened the situation in many cases.

Better security needed to deal with violent pupils – Irish Examiner 2/10/12
Improved security systems are needed in special classrooms to protect teachers and classmates from violent outbursts, Education Minster Ruairi Quinn has been advised.
These systems and extra training for staff would be in addition to the €65m a year spent on resource teachers and €150m on special needs assistants (SNAs) for 12,000 children whose needs include extreme behavioural problems.
The National Council for Special Education, which sanctions the staff, said applications for supports for such students is up 23% since 2009 and almost 8,000 of them are in mainstream schools…..Teachers’ Union of Ireland general secretary John MacGabhann said providing one staff member in each school with a short training period does not go far enough, particularly in large schools in communities worst hit by the recession. He said cutbacks that have led to bigger classes, fewer year heads, and less guidance counselling are detrimental to promoting good behaviour.

Disruptive students cost €200m per year – Irish Daily Mail 2/10/12
While TUI general secretary John MacGabhann welcomed the discussion, he said that cuts to staff numbers were exacerbating the problem. “It would be remiss of us not to highlight that the loss of teachers to schools due to cutbacks resulting in larger class groups and less attention to individual students is undoubtedly detrimental to promoting positive behaviour in the classroom,” he said.

Group recommends teachers should be upskilled to handle student behaviour – www.thejournal.ie 1/10/12
Responding to the publication of the report today, General Secretary of the Teacher’s Union of Ireland (TUI) John MacGabhann said he welcomed the issue being brought to the fore but it was important to highlight that the loss of teachers to schools due to cutbacks is “undoubtedly detrimental to promoting positive behaviour in the classroom”.
“Most recently, the loss of 700 teachers in second level schools from last month due to changes to guidance counselling provision will have worsened the situation in many cases”, he said.
“Meanwhile, the loss of over 6,000 middle management positions as a result of the continuing embargo on the filling of public sector positions is also exacerbating the problem with many schools having do without vital positions such as year head.”

TUI President Gerard Craughwell discusses TUI campaign to restore single pay scale for new entrant teachers. Michael Reade Show, LMFM, 24/9/12

TUI President Gerard Craughwell interviewed on Today FM news bulletins. He states that Government are trying to introduce 'a race to the bottom' and reaffirms TUI's commitment to campaign to bring new entrants into the appropriate career structures. 21/9/12

TUI General Secretary John MacGabhann interviewed on RTE Radio 1's Drivetime programme. Stresses union's commitment to vigorous campaign to restore single payscale. 20/9/12

TUI considers legal action over salaries for new teachers - RTE - 20/9/12

Only new teachers will not be paid allowances – Irish Times 19/9/12
NEW ENTRANTS to teaching will bear the brunt of the Government’s cuts to allowances for the sector. Under plans announced yesterday, established teachers will retain various allowances worth about €506 million a year.
New entrants will not receive any qualification allowances – worth about €4,500 annually to a teacher with an honours primary degree in education….John MacGabhann, general secretary of Teachers Union of Ireland, said the latest cut would have savage consequences for those teachers at the point of entry to the profession, ultimately having enormous consequences in terms of who would be attracted to the profession.
“This savage attack also runs completely counter to the Government’s oft-vaunted commitment to the knowledge society as allowances payable for additional academic attainment by teachers have been slashed in what translates to a retrogressive tax on upskilling.”

Teachers' starting pay to be €1,538 lower under deal – Irish Independent 19/9/12
THE starting pay of newly-qualified teachers will be €1,538 lower than that paid to new teachers last year, as a result of the review of allowances. However, the salary blow was softened by arguments about the need to continue to attract high calibre people to the profession.
New entrants to teaching are losing their qualifications allowance, worth about €5,000 a year…….Teacher unions have attacked the cuts, which, they say, create a two-tier teaching profession.
Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI) general secretary John MacGabhann said "this savage attack runs completely counter to the Government's oft-vaunted commitment to the knowledge society".

Students’ fury over household charge link to third level grants – The Star 19/9/12
TUI General Secretary John MacGabhann said it’s grossly unfair and wrong that students would be penalised in any way for the non-payment of the household charge by their parents. “Any delay in payment to a student could have serious repercussions for their ability to meet basic financial commitments such as rent and other living costs,” he said.

Household charge will be taken out of more entitlements – Irish Independent 19/9/12
The move has been criticised by the Dail’s opposition, the Union of Students in Ireland and the Teachers’ Union of Ireland.

Ruairi Quinn says it reasonable for councils to ask grant applicants about legally-due taxes – RTE 18/9/12
The Teachers' Union of Ireland described the decision as grossly unfair. TUI General Secretary John MacGabhann said any delays in grant payments could have serious repercussions for students.

We work enough, say teachers angry at 40-hour week – Irish Daily Mail 17/9/12
Teachers have hit out at suggestions that they will have to work a 40-hour week, and have insisted that they spend more time in the classroom than their EU peers. Two second level teaching unions have said that staff already work more hours than their global counterparts despite cutbacks and pay reductions. Taoiseach Enda Kenny has given ministers until Wednesday to come up with further savings ‘to squeeze the maximum’ out of the Croke Park Agreement and Education Minister Ruari Quinn is believed to be considering a 40-hour week plan….A Teachers’ Union of Ireland spokesman said that an independent survey carried out by Behaviour and Attitudes in 2010 showed that because of increased duties second level teachers were working between an average of 43 to 46 hours per week….

Letter by TUI President on Croke Park Agreement – Irish Times 17/9/12
Sir, – It is regrettable that much of the discourse on the public service (Croke Park) agreement is poorly informed and that some within the commentariat seem intent on keeping it so. The facts may not suit those who routinely seek to denigrate public servants and the unions that represent them. However, reasonable people will agree that the facts are important.
The members of the TUI, teachers and lecturers, do not especially like the Croke Park agreement but nonetheless signed up to it in good faith. We expected and continue to expect that the Government will, for its part, also act in good faith. In the schools and colleges where our members work a reduced number of teachers and lecturers is providing a greatly increased numbers of students with a high quality public education service. The Croke Park agreement is delivering significant savings to the State arising from increased productivity by our members in an environment starved of resources. An additional 900,000 hours annually are being delivered by second-level teachers alone. All too often the fact that the Croke Park deal is delivering industrial peace is also wilfully ignored.
The increments and allowances paid to teachers are an intrinsic, indivisible part of core pay. The Croke Park agreement unequivocally guarantees that there will be no further reductions – beyond the very steep reductions already imposed – in the pay of serving public servants in the lifetime of the agreement. Withdrawing or cutting the increments and allowances would therefore be a breach of the agreement and would represent an act of bad faith by Government.
The imposition of the so-called “pension levy” on public servants and the public service pay cut reduced the take-home pay of serving teachers by up to 20 per cent. There has also been a sustained assault on the pay of new entrants to the public service and, most especially, on new entrants to teaching, since 2011. Add to this mix the fact that around 30 per cent of second-level teachers do not have fulltime jobs but instead are struggling to get by on part time hours and insecure contracts and the myth about public servants being cosseted is exposed as precisely that, a myth.
As public servants, taxpayers and citizens, teachers and lecturers are suffering the reductions in living standards that afflict our society; are working ever harder to ensure that our young people get an education of the highest quality; are active in helping their communities to meet the demands of the time; and are demonstrably part of the common struggle in these times of recession. – Yours, etc,
GERARD P CRAUGHWELL,
President,
Teachers’ Union of Ireland,
Orwell Road,
Rathgar, Dublin 6.

Teachers respond to Taoiseach’s 40-hour-week request – www.thejournal.ie 16/9/12
TEACHERS’ UNIONS HAVE responded to this morning’s media reports which suggested that the Taoiseach has told Education Minister Ruairí Quinn to extend the working week in schools to 40 hours.
The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) noted that their members already work an average of 43 to 46 hours per week, while the ASTI pointed to this week’s OECD survey which showed Ireland’s second-level teachers spend more time in the classroom than their foreign counterparts.
The Sunday Independent reported that Enda Kenny has told his ministers to increase the working week in schools and hospitals in order to increase productivity across the public sector. Citing a letter sent to Cabinet members, the newspaper said that the Taoiseach wants an extra €1.7 billion in day-to-day savings to be made next year.
Responding to the reports about teachers’ working weeks, a spokesperson for TUI said, “An independent survey carried out by Behaviour & Attitudes in 2010 showed that second level teachers were working between an average of 43 to 46 hours per week.
“This will have grown since as a result of increased administrative burdens and further cutbacks to the education system. In addition, teachers are also now working an additional hour per week as part of the Public Service Agreement.”
Those sentiments were echoed by the secondary-level teachers’ union, the ASTI. General Secretary Pat King said,” Irish second-level teachers spend 735 hours per annum in their classrooms compared to the OECD average of approximately 681 hours. Teaching is a frontline service and the most valuable work that teachers do is done in the classroom.”

Teachers would consider examining own students - Irish Examiner 13/9/12
A teachers’ representative says they will consider examining their own students for Junior Certificate but only if it is done in their normal teaching time, or if they will be paid for it.

Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) general secretary John MacGabhann was responding to the idea put forward by a principals’ leader that the exam be corrected by students’ own teachers, given moves to make the Junior Cert less of a high stakes event.

As this year’s 59,000 Junior Cert students got their results, Mr MacGabhann said the TUI was prepared to consider different examination methods, including school-based assessment. However, he said, it also attached conditions to any such moves that would protect public confidence in the State exams, as well as its members’ professional interests.

"For any new assessment methods, time must be provided, which is a workload issue. We’re not in the business of increasing teachers’ workloads. There must be external moderation or quality assurance, which already happens at third level. There must be training to protect students by ensuring what is done is done well, and there should be payment where appropriate."

Mr MacGabhann said the extra 36 hours a year, or one hour a week, being worked by teachers under the Croke Park Agreement was already being used for curricular planning, staff meetings outside school time, and other uses.

The State Examinations Commission paid €19m last year to 6,638 examiners to mark Junior and Leaving Certificate written, oral, and practical exams.

TUI this year eased its ban on teachers examining the optional Junior Cert oral Irish test, for which the State Examinations Commission does not pay external examiners. Growing numbers of schools have offered the optional Junior Cert Irish since the marks given for it were doubled to 40% in 2010, with one-in-seven who got results in the subject yesterday having taken an oral test.

TUI members may conduct oral Irish tests only if it is voluntary, and if the work is either done in their timetabled classes or they are paid for it, or both. However, the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland bans members entirely from any unpaid State exam work, as it says doing so would endanger the credibility of the exam system.

National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) director Clive Byrne said in yesterday’s Irish Examiner that examining and marking their own students would allow teachers give them direct feedback and make the three-year junior cycle more about learning than preparing for a final exam.

Mr MacGabhann said teachers recognise that the Junior Cert is no longer as high-stakes as it once was, given that 90% of young people are now progressing to the Leaving Certificate.

TUI General Secretary John MacGabhann interviewed on Today FM's Last Word programme. Describes OCED figures on Irish teacher salaries as a 'history lesson', outlining that report shows that teachers earn just 82% of salary of comparable workers and that even then, salary figures used in OECD report did not include pension levy or recent cuts to salaries of new entrants 12/9/12

TUI President Gerard Craughwell's sister interviewed on RTE Radio 1 News At One on her return to education to attain Junior Cert. Mentions that her brother returned as a mature student to become a teacher and is now TUI President - News At One, RTE Radio 1 12/9/12

Irish Times Education Editor Sean Flynn references TUI concerns over low numbers taking modern languages – Pat Kenny Show, RTE Radio 1 12/9/12

Irish teachers among highest paid in OECD – Irish Times 12/9/12
(extract) TEACHERS IN Ireland are among the best paid in the world, according to a new international survey.
The OECD Education at a Glance survey reports that primary teachers here are the fourth best paid among 34 OECD countries. Second-level teachers are ranked between fifth- and eighth-highest in terms of pay across the OECD.
Teacher unions says the figures for 2009-2010 do not fully reflect the 14 per cent cut in pay and pensions. The Teachers’ Union of Ireland has described the figures as a “history lesson”.

Quinn pleased about maths uptake – Irish Times 12/9/12
REACTION: MINISTER FOR Education Ruairí Quinn has welcomed the increase in numbers taking higher-level maths in the Junior Cert exam.
He said last night he was “particularly pleased” to see more young people were sitting higher-level maths – a stated aim of Project Maths. This increase had occurred even without the “carrot” of bonus points for maths, whose introduction this year at Leaving Cert level saw a large leap in the numbers opting for the higher level paper.
“I hope this is an indication of where we are going with maths,” he said.
Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) president Gerard Craughwell pointed out that while 34,757 students took Junior Cert French, the totals for German (9,470), Spanish (6,698) and Italian (436) remained considerably lower.
“There has been much discourse on the importance of boosting science and maths within the education system,” Mr Craughwell said, “but it is has become somewhat lost in this debate that modern languages are also hugely important in terms of meeting economic needs. There is clear concern at the relatively low numbers of language graduates being produced.
“Indeed, in a meeting with TUI this summer, the German ambassador stressed the increasing opportunities for employment with German companies both in Ireland and in the German-speaking regions of Europe.”

2,000 more people take exams than last year - Irish Examiner 12/9/12
Almost 2,000 students more than last year are getting their Junior Certificate results at schools and other education centres today.
The 58,798 people whose wait for their grades is coming to an end is 3.4% more than last year, and includes 1,000 who came through back-to-education schemes. The 57,798 school-based candidates is 2,027 higher than in 2011.

It is the highest number of Junior Cert students since 2004 and rising enrolments suggest the 60,000-plus who sat it in 2001 and 2002 will be repeated within two years…..As those getting results consider which subjects to take for the Leaving Certificate, if they have not already done so, Teachers’ Union of Ireland president Gerard Craughwell said they should gravitate toward areas that stimulated and engaged them.
"It has never been more vital that all students seek to at least attain a Leaving Certificate, as in the current climate they have little or no chance of entering the workforce without one."

OECD: Ireland’s teachers among world’s best paid – Irish Examiner 12/9/12
(extract) Ireland’s teachers are among the world’s best paid, even after factoring in the first round of public service pay cuts two years ago.
Primary teachers were the fourth highest-paid of 35 OECD countries in 2010, with basic salaries of almost €42,000 — before the addition of allowances or pension costs — after 15 years of service. The figure does not reflect the full cut to their pay packets in January of that year, which averaged 6.5%.
The OECD average was almost €29,500, and at second-level — where Irish teachers earn the same as in primary schools — it was €31,321 — making our second-level teachers the fifth to eighth highest-paid. Teacher unions pointed last week to a €11,400 gap in the starting pay of a new teacher this month compared with someone in the same position in 2010, who started out earning €39,195, when salary and allowances were included.
The 915 hours’ annual teaching time at primary level is almost 19% higher than the OECD average and the 735 hours worked at second-level is higher than most in the OECD, where the average is 650 to 700 hours a year. Teachers’ Union of Ireland general secretary John MacGabhann said the salary figures did not take account of the pension levy, the 14% cut in new entrants’ salaries from last year, or the fact that 30% of second-level teachers did not work full-time hours.

Surge in numbers taking higher maths and Irish – Irish Examiner 12/9/12
(extract) Nearly half of all Junior Certificate students took higher-level maths this year and changes to the marking scheme have prompted another rise in numbers attempting higher Irish…. Teachers’ Union of Ireland president Gerard Craughwell said that, while 34,757 sat French exams, the considerably lower numbers taking German (9,470), Spanish (6,698), and Italian add to concerns about relatively low numbers of language graduates in Ireland.

Honours maths pupils multiply – The Star 12/9/12
However, the Teachers’ Union of Ireland claimed that the numbers of students taking modern languages such as German, Spanish and Italian were considerably lower than those studying French.
TUI President Gerard Craughwell said: ‘, it is worth noting that while 34,757 took Junior Certificate French, the totals for German (9,470), Spanish (6,698) and Italian (436) remain considerably lower. There has been much discourse on the importance of boosting science and maths within the education system but it is has become somewhat lost in this debate that modern languages are also hugely important in terms of meeting economic needs. There is clear concern at the relatively low numbers of language graduates being produced.’

Parents told to curb Junior Cert parties – Irish Daily Mail 12/9/12
The Teachers’ Union of Ireland also encouraged pupils to remain in school. TUI president Gerard Craughwell said: ‘We urge that pioneering programmes which retain students who may otherwise choose to drop out – such as the Leaving Certificate Applied – be promoted where possible.’

Teacher college mergers aim to maintain standard – Irish Examiner 6/9/12
Tighter controls on numbers training to become teachers are needed to ensure the high standard of applicants is not reduced as jobs become more scarce.
The recommendation comes from an international group of experts. They have suggested that the 19 publicly funded colleges — which offer more than 40 teaching courses — be merged into six specialist education centres, and this plan has been approved by Education Minister Ruairi Quinn.
The review commissioned for him by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) was focused on improving pre-service training for primary and second-level teachers rather than cutting costs……..Unions representing academic staff at the colleges called for detailed discussions on the changes before implementation. The Teachers’ Union of Ireland said the transfer of facilities would have significant cost implications.

TUI seeks 'urgent clarification' on teacher-training reforms - breakingnews.ie

Back to School: John Lonergan's School Principles. RTE documentary on education system with former governor of Mountjoy Prison John Lonergan features segment on Collinstown Park Community College, including interviews with staff and students and footage from graduation day. http://www.rte.ie/player/#!v=10046159 4/9/12

Redundancy rule is creating a brain drain, say academics – Irish Daily Mail
3/9/12
Thousands of the brightest innovators in the nation could be forced to flee the country or be forced on to the dole by a new order implemented by Public Expenditure and Reform Minister Brendan Howlin, a university teachers’ group has warned. ..The changes also impact on teachers if they take the severance package. The Irish national teachers’ Organisation, the Association of Secondary teachers of Ireland and the Teachers’ Union of Ireland have all written to the Department of Education and Skills seeking a meeting with the minister...

Re-employment ban 'will drive away researchers' – Irish Times 30/8/12
(extract) A MEASURE introduced by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform could force thousands of young researchers to emigrate. This will damage the Government’s efforts to build a knowledge economy here, representative bodies for researchers claimed yesterday.
The measure relates to public service employees who accept a slightly higher ex gratia or “enhanced” voluntary redundancy payment when leaving………The possibility of enhanced redundancy arose as part of the Croke Park agreement, said Mike Jennings, general secretary of the Irish Federation of University Teachers. The federation has repeatedly had to take cases related to enhanced redundancy to the Labour Court to force payment, he said.
He believes the department’s measure was a response to this, with a clause specifically stating that public servants accepting enhanced redundancy “will not be eligible for re-employment” by any public service body for two years.
“Its most serious impact is going to be on researchers,” Mr Jennings said. Effectively it was an “emigration clause” that would force them to leave Ireland to find work abroad……For this reason he and the heads of other teachers’ unions, the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation, the Association of Secondary Teachers of Ireland and the Teachers’ Union of Ireland, have written to the Department of Education and Skills asking for a meeting to discuss the “serious concerns” felt by all four unions.

TUI member Sara Murphy outlines the difficulties experienced by second level teachers in securing full hours, RTE Radio 1’s Drivetime programme, 29/8/12

As teachers return to school, TUI General Secretary John MacGabhann highlights that not all teachers are on full hours and that the pay of new entrants to the profession has been badly hit – Interview with Claire Byrne on RTE Radio 1’s News At One 28/8/12 (Click here to listen)

John MacGabhann interviewed on cuts to salaries of new entrant teachers on Tipp FM, Deputy General Secretary Annette Dolan interviewed on same issue on WLRFM 28/8/12

New teachers' salaries down 30 per cent since 2010 - www.thejournal.ie

Pay for new teachers down 30% since 2010 – Irish Times 28/8/12
NEW ENTRANTS this week to teaching will earn about 30 per cent less than their colleagues who secured permanent jobs as recently as 2010. Newly-appointed teachers earned more than €39,000 in salary and allowances in 2010, but this has dropped to €27,800 this year.
New teachers have been targeted by the Department of Education as part of a review of the €506 million paid in allowances to teachers last year – but those who were already in the classroom may escape the cuts.
Earlier this year, Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn moved to reassure teachers their allowances would not be cut when he acknowledged they were currently considered part of their pay.
Teachers have warned that any cuts to allowances will be regarded as a breach of the Croke Park deal on public service pay.
However new entrants to the profession do not enjoy the protection of Croke Park which guarantees no pay cuts or job losses in return for modernisation measures. As a result, the Government can proceed with the non-payment of these allowances to new entrants.
The three teacher unions will meet this week to “devise an appropriate and comprehensive strategy in response to this hugely damaging attack on the profession”. It is not clear though how they can reverse the cutback.
The unions say the cut will affect schools and teaching by demeaning new teachers and eroding goodwill.
This year, the CAO points requirement for primary teaching at St Patrick’s College , Dublin, was down slightly at 470. Entry to most other teaching courses was unchanged. The sluggish demand for teaching is being attributed to the cuts in starting pay and the difficulties experienced by many teaching graduates in finding work.
The teacher unions say allowances are an integral part of salaries reflecting extra work, additional skills and further qualifications.
A teacher starting work this year will be paid €27,814 if employed full time. In 2010, a similarly qualified teacher would have earned €39,195.
The teacher unions say many new teachers will take home far less than this, because up to 30 per cent of second-level teachers work less than full hours and this percentage will continue to rise in the coming years.
Most new teachers who find employment spend a number of years going from job to job trying to secure a permanent teaching position. More than two-thirds of teachers under 30 are on temporary contracts.
The teacher unions say their opposition to the latest pay cut for new teachers is also related to the damage that will be done in attracting the best young graduates to the profession.
“This pay cut runs counter to the Government’s commitment to building a knowledge society,” said Sheila Nunan, general secretary of the INTO. “Slashing teachers’ salaries will not help schools to recruit and keep the best teachers. In the long term this decision will affect the quality of education for Irish students.”
TUI general secretary John MacGabhann said that where once teachers applied for secure jobs, the vast majority of new entrants to the profession were now forced to apply for low numbers of hours with no guarantee of their services being retained for the next school year.
Almost half of the €500 million paid annually in allowances to teachers is for their qualifications. Teachers are paid separately for their degree, postgraduate and doctorate qualifications.
Other allowances include about €200 million a year in management allowances and more than €75 million a year in allowances for supervision duties.
Earlier this year, Mr Quinn pointed out that allowances in education such as for teachers in posts of responsibility, deputy principals and principals were considered part of their pay.

New teachers set to earn €11,400 less than in 2010 – Irish Examiner 28/8/12
(extract) Hundreds of new teachers starting their careers this term will earn almost €11,400 per year less than entrants to the job two years ago, unions have claimed.
Unions are to begin plans to step up a campaign against cuts to salaries and allowances of their newest members……Officials from the ASTI, the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation, and the Teachers’ Union of Ireland are meeting this week to begin planning a strategy in response to the cuts.

An INTO spokesperson confirmed plans would not include industrial action.

TUI general secretary John MacGabhann said the difficulties for new teachers were compounded by the low number of hours often available to those who could get work after qualifying.

"Even after qualification, it still takes several years for a teacher or lecturer to secure tenure and even longer to secure it on full- time hours," he said.

CAO points – Clare Champion editorial 24/8/12
(Extract) TUI representative, Bernie Ruane has highlighted the distorted effect the bonus points awarded for higher level maths has had on other courses, where a high level of mathematical competence is not a core requirement
She has questioned the benefits of offering bonus points for honours maths as the most appropriate solution to increase the uptake of science, technology and engineering courses.
Instead, she has proposed bonus points should be targeted at courses where a high standard of mathematical ability is required. The increase in points for high demand courses with limited availability has made it extremely difficult for some very talented and able students to obtain a place.
Her proposal is worthy of serious consideration from Education Minister Ruairi Quinn. Even though major companies have been forced to go abroad to recruit certain highly skilled graduates, the current flawed system has skewed points for science, technology and engineering courses.

TUI President Gerard Craughwell interviewed on TV3’s Ireland AM regarding the current system whereby students apply for college places and TUI’s concerns that bonus points for certain Leaving Certificate subjects could do more harm than good 22/8/12

The long way round- Galway Independent editorial 22/8/12
The Pulitzer Prize winning columnist Mary Schmich once wrote that you shouldn’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want to do with your life…..Salthill native and Teachers’ Union of Ireland President Gerard Craughwell advised this week that such students such not be disheartened, as there is still a chance that they will be offered their chosen course in the later rounds of offers.
Mr Craughwell also advised that students should be aware that hundreds of courses in the further education sector, particularly Post Leaving Certificate courses, facilitate the first steps of a different access route to higher education and ultimately their chosen career. In other words, the Leaving Certificate is not the be all and end all.
And as Schmich highlighted, there is no shame in students not having a chosen career at this or any other point in their lives. The road less travelled is a daunting path but the TUI sensibly advises that students should ultimately seek to further their studies in areas that engage, interest and stimulate them, rather than basing decisions exclusively on where jobs currently seem more likely upon graduation.…….No matter whether you end up at university, in an institute of technology, a college of further education, or simply taking some time out to work or travel the world in September, talk to someone you admire in a role or profession that you feel could suit you because, as Gerard Craughwell puts it, the Leaving Certificate is a ‘signpost rather than the end of the road’.

Teachers and parents 'must have say' in points revamp – Irish Independent 22/8/12
(extract) The Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) said a public debate was preferable to a "high-powered group of universities deciding" what changes are required.
The Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) also said that teachers' and students' input should be heard…..TUI president Gerard Craughwell said: "We welcome certain aspects of it but we think an awful lot more work needs to go into it.
"I think that what we would really want is, rather than having this high-powered group of universities decide, we would want a public debate with the parents, the practitioners and the students themselves.''
Mr Craughwell said the TUI was opposed to further bonus points, given the negative effect they had following this year's maths exams and said there was also a danger that smaller, rural schools could be discriminated against in specialist subjects if cutbacks reduced teacher numbers.

‘Schools’ ability to field teams hit due to cutbacks’ – Irish Examiner 22/8/12
(extract) Education cutbacks have severely affected secondary schools’ ability to field sports teams with other extra-curricular activities also being adversely affected, teachers’ unions have said.
Gerard Craughwell, president of the TUI secondary level teachers’ union, branded such cuts as an attack on the culture of voluntarism within schools.

"Government cuts have not only undermined teachers’ efforts in the classroom but, also, by expecting teachers to give continued dedication to extra-curricular activities with less resources and reduced staff numbers, they are effectively attacking the spirit of voluntarism within the teaching community," said Mr Craughwell.

Under the 2010 Croke Park Agreement, secondary teachers are expected to voluntarily dedicate 33 extra hours per year to meetings outside of school time.

TUI President Gerard Craughwell warns of the potentially damaging effects of additional CAO bonus points for certain subjects and the dangers of industry having too big an influence on the education system – RTE television Six, Nine and News On Two bulletins 21/8/12

TUI President Gerard Craughwell interviewed on CAO issues on Newstalk and a number of regional radio stations 19-20/8/12

Points for many courses at highest level in decades – Irish Times 20/8/12
CAO points for many college courses have risen to their highest level for decades, raising concerns the new bonus points for maths may be distorting third-level admissions. In the first round of college offers published this morning, a record 56 per cent of all higher degree university courses register an increase in points.....
Last night, the Teachers' Union of Ireland claimed that the new system was doing more harm than good. It backs a revised, more targeted system where only those taking science-related courses at college secure the bonus points. Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn has promised to review the workings of the new system. University academic councils will also review it in 2014.
The scramble for college places on many courses has intensified this year because of the strong results of so many students in Leaving Cert higher-level maths. In all, one-third of those seeking places on higher-level courses went into the points race with bonus points.

Distorting the CAO system – Irish Times editorial 20/8/12
The Teachers' Union of Ireland cautioned yesterday that the bonus points system could do more harm than good. It may have the unwelcome effect, the union said, of depriving some students of third level places in disciplines in which "they have an interest and expertise" and which are not maths based. Ironically, the new system - designed to boost student interest in science and technology - may even see some locked out of university science courses because they cannot reach the new, exacting points requirements.
The bonus points system was a well-intentioned and overdue initiative. It is a welcome acknowledgement that higher level maths is the most time-consuming Leaving Cert subject. The change was much needed. In 2011, the numbers taking the subject at higher level dropped to record lows. Some dramatic response was required to reverse this trend and help develop a so-called knowledge economy. But is the cure worse than the illness? Has the CAO system become too skewed?

Disappointed candidates urged to consider number of options – Irish Examiner 20/8/12
Teachers’ Union of Ireland president Gerard Craughwell said there is still a chance that students not offered a college place today could be offered their chosen course in later rounds of CAO offers.
After next Monday evening’s deadline to accept places offered today, CAO will make its next stage of offers on Aug 30. Dozens of courses are likely to begin offering places for new applications through the CAO website from midday tomorrow.
"Students should also bear in mind that hundreds of courses in the further education sector, particularly post-Leaving Certificate courses, facilitate the first steps of a different access route to higher education and ultimately their chosen career," Mr Craughwell said.

Casual career is no flexible friend – Sunday Times 19/8/12
Thanks to a recruitment moratorium, it has not been a bed of roses for young workers in the public sector, either. The majority of teachers under the age of 30 for instance, are working on temporary contracts or make do with last minute substitution work at a variety of schools. More than one in four second level teachers are employed on contracts offering less than the full 22 hours per week, the Teachers’ Union of Ireland said earlier this month.

TUI President Gerard Craughwell interviewed on RTE Radio 1 one ‘o clock news on CAO issues – urges students to stay positive and consider wide breadth of Further Education options 19/8/12

Online teacher-training college offers 100 extra places this year - Irish Times 17/8/12
(extract) Continuing high birth rates and data from the 2011 census indicate that student numbers will grow from 327,000 this year to 413,000 by 2026. Previous estimates had put the projected number for 2026 at about 383,000.

The department is already planning for a dramatic increase in enrolment at primary level over the next decade. But this new projection for second level will place further strain on the €9 billion education budget.

Educating a primary school teacher at undergraduate level in the teacher-training colleges, for example, is estimated to cost €30,000 per year.

Teacher unions are adamant that the department must employ more teachers in order to maintain current pupil-teacher ratios in the face of the increase.

The Teachers’ Union of Ireland estimates that more than 4,500 teachers (about 320 a year) would need to be added to the second-level system over the period to 2026.

Jury still out despite successful first running of Project Maths - Irish Independent 16/8/12

It is too early to be making judgments on Project Maths, a teachers' unionleader claimed last night.

The Leaving Cert results have revived the controversy over the new approach to teaching the subject, amid claims that examiners were told to be 'soft' in how they marked the papers after some hostile reaction to the June exams.

This year's results show a difference in performance between students in the 24 schools where Project Maths was pioneered and all other students.

But Teachers' Union of Ireland general secretary John MacGabhann urged caution about rushing to conclusions about Project Maths.

He said the new curriculum was underpinned by more interactive approaches, which required extensive exploratory and group work.

"This demands smaller class group sizes if effective teaching and learning is to be expected and supported," Mr MacGabhann said.

'Too early' to judge impact of Project Maths - Irish Examiner 16/8/12
It is too early to properly judge the impact of the new Project Maths syllabus which has been partially credited for improved Leaving Certificate grades in the subject, say teachers and Education Minister Ruairi Quinn.

Despite many criticisms of the system, in which all students were examined in two out of five strands on one of the two maths papers in June, overall grades were up on last year. A record high 22.1% of maths students opted for higher level, up from a record low one-in-six a year ago, mainly prompted by the offer of bonus college entry points this year.

But the Teachers’ Union of Ireland said the revised syllabus should be assessed on a broad body of evidence and experience before any judgment is made on its merits or requirements for further adjustments. "If, on the basis of evidence, adjustments are required, then of course they can be made," said the union’s general secretary John MacGabhann.

"It should be borne in mind that the Project Maths initiative is a measured response to the widely acknowledged problems of the previous syllabus and exam format. Some of the critics of Project Maths, we note, were harsh critics of its predecessor."

Among the complaints have been that, while the changed syllabus gives students a more practical feel for the subject, it has shortcomings when it comes to teaching more advanced maths theory needed for study of science and engineering at third level.

With students’ results welcomed by employers group IBEC, American Chamber of Commerce Ireland and others keen to see higher standards among graduates and future employees, Mr Quinn said he was "by and large" happy with how the subject tested but also urged caution against overanalysing the impact now.

He said new requirements for teachers to top up their skills should have a major effect on results. "I would say, in all honesty, in terms of what we are doing in facilitating continual professional development of teachers for familiarity with the curriculum, that it is probably going to take a number of years before it is at the level of honed down that we would like," Mr Quinn said. "The quality of teaching is the key to teaching educational outcomes."

TUI President Gerard Craughwell's advice for those receiving Leaving Certificate results quoted on RTE 2FM news bulletins 15/8/12

More students take agri-science than physics - Irish Examiner 15/8/12
(extract) Construction studies has seen another fall in student interest but was still taken by more than 8,200, or almost 15%, of the Leaving Cert class of 2012, down from a little more than 9,000 candidates two years ago.

Teachers’ Union of Ireland president Gerard Craughwell said that with opportunities for apprenticeships dwindling, the employer-led system should be reviewed. Institutes of technology were best placed to deliver new ways of training apprentices, he said. "As citizens of this country, students who wish to pursue trades should not be denied this option," he said.

Engineering was taken by 4,837 students, about 200 fewer than last year, a bigger fall proportionately than in the overall numbers taking the Leaving Cert. Technology remains a minority subject but the numbers who sat the exams this year passed the 900 mark, up from 838 a year ago.

Status of thousands of teachers in doubt – Irish Examiner 14/8/12
The Teaching Council’s increased disciplinary powers and the Government’s control over the hiring of people who are not qualified are being hamstrung by doubts over the status of thousands of teachers. Education Minister Ruairi Quinn is anxious to enforce section 30 of the 2001 Teaching Council Act this coming school year. It would mean his department would only pay people for teaching work if they were registered with the regulatory body — which requires holding a teaching qualification.

This would, in turn, pave the way for the council to investigate and sanction teachers who breach its code of conduct or whose work falls below standard. However, the timescale for the move is unclear and question marks hang over the status of many teachers and other staff.

John MacGabhann, the Teachers’ Union of Ireland general secretary, said: "We understand section 30 needs to be commenced... but we’re insisting it shouldn’t happen until such time as the current uncertainties are cleared up."

TUI Deputy General Secretary Annette Dolan interviewed about the need for 4,500 additional teachers in interviews on KFM, Shannonside and South East Radio 13/8/12

Rising student numbers strains education budget - Irish Times 10/8/12

Student numbers to rise four times faster than forecast - Irish Examiner 10/8/12

Surge in student numbers will drive demand for 4,500 extra teachers - Irish Independent 10/8/12

TUI warning on student numbers also carried in Irish Star, Irish Daily Mail, Irish Mirror, Evening Echo and Irish News. 10/8/12

John MacGabhann warns of need for increased number of teachers - Newstalk's Lunchtime programme 9/8/12

John McGabhann interviewed on Today FM news bulletins on revised student number projections 9/8/12

TUI Deputy General Secretary Annette Dolan discusses need for additional teachers on Q102, LMFM, CLR and Ocean FM.

TUI General Secretary John MacGabhann discusses the need for more second level teachers in coming years in light of revised Department of Education and Skills statisitics which revise projections of second level student numbers upwards - Morning Ireland, RTE Radio 1, 9/8/12 Click here to listen

TUI calls for 4,500 extra second level teachers by 2026 - RTE 9/8/12

TUI Deputy General Secretary Annette Dolan highlights the difficulties young teachers face in interview on WLRFM 2/8/12

Annette Dolan rejects Young Fine Gael call for teachers to correct State Examinations as part of teaching contract - work is highly specialised and makes examination system transparent, rigorous and robust. Any tinkering with this formula would be foolish - Shannonside FM 2/8/12

TUI President Gerry Craughwell outlines the increasingly difficult struggle young teachers face as they try to secure enough teaching hours to meet financial commitments. Many in large urban areas rely on financial support from family to stay in the profession, he states. TV3 News 1/8/12

Profile of TUI President Gerard Craughwell - Galway Independent 1/8/12

(extract) Gerard says that teachers are also angered by suggestions that their jobs have been insulated from the recession.

“Such suggestions are nonsense. Many teachers have lost jobs and a huge number have had their hours cut because of cutbacks in recent years. Meanwhile, all teachers have suffered cuts on take home pay of up to 20 per cent. New entrants to the profession since 2011 have been hit with an additional 14 per cent cut in pay. Like too many others in Irish society, teachers, many of whom are on less than full hours, are struggling to meet financial commitments.” Click for full article.

Fewer teaching hours becoming 'the norm' - Irish Times 1/8/12

MORE THAN one in four second-level teachers are employed on contracts offering less than full working hours, according to the Teachers’ Union of Ireland.

The union yesterday warned that the “increasing casualisation” of the profession is making it more difficult for teachers to secure permanent positions.

The union also said the situation could force young graduates to emigrate in a bid to get secure employment.

According to the union’s research, more than a quarter of its members earn a salary based on less than full hours.

Full hours were 22 teaching hours a week which equated to 47 working hours, the union said.

Annette Dolan, the deputy general secretary of the union, said the choice for aspirant teachers was rapidly becoming emigration or another career altogether.

“Where once second-level teachers applied for permanent jobs, now they apply for hours,” she said.

“Regrettably, it has become the norm in recent times for young teachers to start out on small numbers of hours with no guarantee of their services being retained the following year.

“For those entering the teaching profession after a training period of five years, we would estimate that it takes an average of a further five years to secure a level of permanency. Even then, this is often on small numbers of hours that see them earning considerably less than the average industrial wage.

Meanwhile a Donegal teacher today takes over leadership of the State’s largest second-level teacher union, the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (ASTI).

Gerry Breslin, a business and maths teacher at Coláiste Cholmcille, Ballyshannon, Co Donegal, said his priorities for the coming year were protecting the education service from further cuts and improving the pay and conditions of recently qualified second-level teachers.

“Our schools were under-funded even before any of the cutbacks of the past 3½ years,” Mr Breslin said. “As ASTI president I will work to convince the politicians of this country that the cutbacks approach is not working.”

Lack of full-time jobs ‘forces teachers out’ - Irish Examiner 1/8/12

A lack of full-time work in the first few years of their careers will force more teachers to emigrate, union leaders have said.

With more than one-in-four of its second-level members’ working fewer than full hours, the Teachers’ Union of Ireland said the increased casualisation of the profession is making it harder to find full-time work and permanency.

While many teachers earn contracts of indefinite duration (CIDs) if they have been working at a school for a number of years, the union said this can often be on far less than the 22 timetabled teaching hours that earns full pay.

"Where once second-level teachers applied for permanent jobs, now they apply for hours," said TUI deputy general secretary Annette Dolan. "Regrettably, it has become the norm in recent times for young teachers to start out on small numbers of hours with no guarantee of their services being retained the following year.

"As a result, there is a worry that the best young graduates will begin to see teaching as a career choice where there is no real level of security. Many may choose to teach in other jurisdictions where more secure teaching positions are available. Alternatively, they may consider other career choices for the same reason."

Ms Dolan said that, with a normal qualification period of five years to enter the teaching profession and an estimated average of another five years to secure permanency, even this is often on small numbers of hours that see them earning considerably less than the average industrial wage.

"Up to this, they typically work on short-term contracts on part-time hours covering for those teachers on leave of absence," she said. "Like many others in Irish society, their struggle to meet basic financial commitments is a real one."

The union wants a system to be introduced to give teachers full-time permanent jobs after a certain number of years of fixed-term contracts, rather than remaining on CIDs on less than full hours, sometimes for up to a decade.

Ms Dolan also called on the Government to insulate education from further cutbacks, following the loss of hundreds of teaching posts at second-level in recent years. It said the equivalent of another 700 teaching jobs will be taken out of the system in September because of changes to how guidance counselling is treated in school staffing.

FG youth wing says teachers should be forced to correct exams - thejournal.ie 30/7/12
(extract) It was argued that over half of the annual €30 million budget for holding the State exams was spent on correcting, with teachers earning some €16 million by offering to correct exams under the current opt-in system.

This morning a trade union representing second-level teachers said it saw no reason to tinker with the current system.

“Our current examination system is a rigorous and transparent one. It is vital that that this standard is maintained going forward,” said TUI deputy general secretary Annette Dolan.

“As it stands, the correction of examinations is optional for teachers and this is vitally important in ensuring that the integrity of the system is maintained.”

Dolan said while a public discourse on funding within the education sector was “healthy”, it was important to point out that hundreds of teaching jobs had been lost as a result of cuts to public spending, while remaining teachers had seen pay cut by up to 20 per cent.

Galway second-level schools to lose equivalent of 37 teachers - Tuam Herald 25/7/12
GALWAY’S second-level schools are set to lose the equivalent of 37 teachers this year due to the cut to the guidance counselling provision. The knock-on effect could see higher level maths and physics hit worse of all, according to the new Galway-native President of the Teacher Union of Ireland, Gerard Craughwell. Click for article.

Salthill man elected president of teachers' union - Connaught Sentinel 24/7/12
(extract from article)........TUI also represents Institute of Technology lecturers, and a fall in lecturer numbers at a time of increased student numbers is of major concern to Gerard.
‘Due to changing demographics, there was a 20% rise in the number of students on full-time student programmes in across the country in Institutes of Technology between 2007 and 2011. This equates to an increase of 11,000 students over that four year period.’
‘Meanwhile, there was a fall of over 8% or 120 full time lecturers between 2007 and 2012 in the Institutes due to the Government’s Employment Control Framework. This is vastly increasing the workload of lecturers and putting extreme strain on the sector.’

Galway man takes over as President of TUI - Galway Independent 19/7/12
A Galway man has been named as the incoming President of the Teachers’ Union of Ireland.

Salthill native Gerard Craughwell has identified “increasing casualisation of the teaching profession” as the key challenge that he will face in his tenure in the coming year but added that it was an “honour” to be elected.

“Key to the challenges we face at this moment in time are attacks on the morale of teachers and the damaging effects of increasing casualisation of the profession. Put simply, where once a teacher applied for a permanent full-time position, now they apply for a perhaps a few hours per week with no guarantee that their services will be retained in the following year” he explained. Click here to read full article.

Reaction to to green light for DIT, Grangegorman - Irish Times 18/7/12

CONCERN AT the pace at which the €2.25 billion capital investment programme will be implemented was expressed by some organisations yesterday.......The Teachers' Union of Ireland, although welcoming the provision of funding for the new DIT campus, warned that a cut in lecturer numbers at a time of a stark rise in student numbers was damaging to the sector.

Highs and lows of teachers' salaries - Irish Times 14/7/12

Sir, – The article “Spending on education low but teachers’ salaries high”, Home News, July 11th) could be misinterpreted by some as suggesting that classroom teachers enjoy huge salaries.

There remains a misconception that all teachers are employed on full-time permanent contracts of employment and have complete security of tenure. In reality, a conservative estimate would be that 25 per cent to 30 per cent of teachers are on part-time contracts, many of these on less than full hours.

For those entering the teaching profession after a training period of five years, it now takes an average of a further five years for a new teacher to secure a level of permanency. Even then, this is often on small numbers of hours that see them earning much less than the average industrial wage.

Up to this they typically work on short-term contracts of low “part-time” hours covering for those teachers on leave of absence with no guarantee that they will be retained by their school in the following year. Like too many others in our society, their struggle to meet basic financial commitments is a very real one.

With respect to the teachers on the higher salaries referred to in your article, these are principals with responsibility for large schools with significant numbers of students and staff. Any principal earning €100,000 has responsibility for a very large school of 700 students or more. It should also be noted that schools have lost 6,000 middle management positions as a result of the public service moratorium and this has added significantly to the workload of principal teachers.

All teachers, including principals, have suffered cuts of up to 20 per cent on their take home pay in recent years, while those appointed from 2011 onwards have been hit with a further 14 per cent cut in salary. – Yours, etc,

GERARD P CRAUGHWELL,
President,
Teachers Union of Ireland,
Orwell Road,
Rathgar, Dublin 6.

New TUI President Gerry Craughwell discusses his route to teaching and the challenges ahead for the profession on Galway Bay FM 13/7/12

Red card for racist abuse – Sunday Times sports section 24th June 2012
‘…Back in 2010, the Teachers’ Union of Ireland said 45% of their members have heard or witnessed racist comments in school in the month before their annual conference…’

Friday 22nd June
Agricultural Science
Exam ‘quite tough but had balance’ – Irish Examiner
Some dangerous questions for this year’s crop of students – Irish Times

Thursday 21st June
Leaving Cert Economics
Diverse papers abound as end of exams approach – Irish Examiner
‘Fair’ papers go beyond textbook – Irish Times

Leaving Cert Design and Communication Graphics
Most ‘happy enough’ with broad papers – Irish Times

Junior Cert Music & Technology
Students left ‘smiling’ – Irish Times

Tuesday 19th June
Junior Cert Materials Technology & Leaving Cert Physics
Focus was on real-life application of technique – Irish Independent
Reality bites as students apply physics to everyday situations – Irish Times
Smooth running on practical papers – Irish Times
Students get a reality check in physics – Irish Examiner
Teachers raise their concerns over question – Irish Independent
Variety of artefacts fully tests course knowledge – Irish Independent

Saturday 16th June
Home Economics & German
Home economics fair but German grammar a challenge – Irish Examiner
Mixed response to paper full of ‘Glee’ – Irish Times
Nutrition question is smoothly bang on trend – Irish Independent
Relief as ‘well-set’ paper ends exams – Irish Times
Surprises sort As from Bs from Cs – Irish Independent

Friday 15th June
Junior Cert Science
All facts and good literary skills needed – Irish Times
Science papers relate to real life – Irish Independent

Leaving Cert Art History
Clear paper keeps focus on masters – Irish Independent
Straightforward questions the business for students – Irish Examiner

TUI area representative Eddie Conlon outlines hugely increased workload of Institute of Technology lecturers on RTE 1's Nine News on day that report on Public Service Agreement shows €900m in savings to the State 13/6/12

TUI Deputy General Secretary Annette Dolan criticises cut to resources for students with special educational needs as 'an attack on the most vulnerable' - Today FM news bulletins, 13/6/12

Unions welcome Croke Park review - Irish Times 13/6/12

Trade unions have welcomed a review into the Croke Park Agreement which shows that significant savings have been made in its first two years.

According to the report from the body overseeing implementation of the agreement savings of €1.5 billion have been achieved since it was introduced.

The Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI) said the report showed the considerable contribution made by teaching staff and lecturers in ensuring that targets are met.

School students start exams – Irish Times 6/6/12
More than 116,000 students across the country have started their State exams today. President Michael D Higgins and Minister for Education Minister Ruairí Quinn sent good wishes to pupils who will take almost 90 subjects over the next two weeks. Native speakers from 15 other EU countries will also be sitting Leaving Cert papers in their mother tongue, including Finnish, Hungarian and Slovakian.
Mr Higgins said: “I would like to advise anyone taking exams and feeling under pressure not to hesitate to seek whatever support they can get from parents, family and friends.
“Once again, my very best wishes to all and, of course, good luck.”
Bernie Ruane, president of the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI), said the vast majority of candidates will find they are better prepared than they think. Pupils under pressure have been warned to seek support, while pharmacists have launched an anti-stress guide for students.
Ms Ruane said: “Students should take care of themselves during the examination period, eating and sleeping properly and taking regular exercise and study breaks.
“Also, they should remember that each examination is a fresh start.
“Most importantly of all, students should keep things in perspective and remember that these exams will not define their lives.”

TUI subject representatives are offering daily analysis of the Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate examinations to the Irish Times, Irish Examiner and Irish Independent. The examinations run from June 6th to June 22nd.

Thursday 14th June
History
Fair papers ranging from Jesuits to Man U – Irish Times
Good choice of essays but tough on weaker candidates – Irish Independent
Good test that showed you can’t cut corners – Irish Independent
Ordinary level exam ‘not easy option’ – Irish Times
Plenty of choice on well received paper – Irish Independent

French
Positive reaction to interesting, varied paper – Irish Times
Well pitched, accessible papers – Irish Times
French and history papers well received – Irish Examiner
Questions on bread and film go down well – Irish Independent

Wednesday 13th June
Business Studies
Business as usual in balanced paper with no surprises – Irish Independent
Nice doing business with ‘balanced’ exam papers – Irish Times

Irish
Sports themes feature strongly in Irish exams - Irish Examiner
Tricky higher-level questions ‘not contemporary enough’ – Irish Times
Olympic effort required but second test fair to all – Irish Independent
Biology
A ‘lovely’ paper with an exotic surprise – Irish Times
Problems posed by unexpected question – Irish Independent

Tuesday 12th June
Maths
Both levels ‘standard’ – Irish Times
Higher level paper called disastrous, traumatic – Irish Times
Fair Maths paper should leave most happy – Irish Examiner
‘Smiles all round’ after no surprises – Irish Independent
Phrasing of ‘too wordy’ questions just doesn’t quite add up – Irish Independent

Irish
Teacher views on both levels mixed – Irish Times
Widely divergent views on fairness of questions – Irish Independent

Saturday 9th June
Maths
Ambush by algebra after easy start – Irish Times
‘Fair overall’ though tricky elements cause mixed feelings – Irish Times
Tough test for those aiming for an A in maths – Irish Examiner
Geography
Fair but challenging trial of candidates’ abilities – Irish Independent
Gaffe made it hard to see wood from trees – Irish Independent

Friday 8th June
English
Absence of Plath and Heaney surprises students – Irish Examiner
Plath badly missed by many pupils – Irish Times
Engineering
Link between engineering design project and written paper ‘a very positive move’ – Irish Independent
Poetry panic as both Heaney and Plath fail to make appearance – Irish Independent
Irish
Unexpected Irish ‘bordering on unfair’ – Irish Independent

Thursday 7th June
English & Home Economics
And they’re off…116,000 sit exams – Irish Independent
BOD gets nod on scrum-ptious paper – Irish Independent
English and Home Ec pose no great difficulties – Irish Examiner
Focus on diverse topics relevant to modern life – Irish Times
Food for thought with relevant themes – Irish Independent
Media theme a major challenge – Irish Times
Mixed start for Junior Cert students – Irish Independent
‘Upbeat and positive’ test wins approval’ – Irish Times

Leaving Cert 2012: 57,000 start with English while 60,000 begin the Junior Cert – Irish Independent 6/6/12
MORE than 116,000 students across the country started their State exams today.
President Michael D Higgins and Education Minister Ruairi Quinn sent good wishes to pupils who will take almost 90 subjects over the next two weeks.
Bernie Ruane, president of the Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI), said the vast majority of candidates will find they are better prepared than they think.
Pupils under pressure have been warned to seek support, while pharmacists have launched an anti-stress guide for students.
Ms Ruane said: "Students should take care of themselves during the examination period, eating and sleeping properly and taking regular exercise and study breaks.
"Also, they should remember that each examination is a fresh start.
"Most importantly of all, students should keep things in perspective and remember that these exams will not define their lives."

Testing Times Ahead – 116,000 students prepare to sit Junior and Leaving Cert exams – Irish Mirror 6/6/12

More than 116,000 students will sit their Junior and Leaving Cert exams today. Education Minister Ruairi Quinn said 53,789 Leaving Certificate, 3,301 Leaving Certificate Applied and 59,684 Junior Certificate pupils will be taking the tests. He added: ‘I want to send my very best wishes to all of the country’s exam students.’….The Teachers’ Union of Ireland President Bernie Ruane said: ‘On a practical level, students should take care of themselves during the examination period. They should eat and sleep properly and take regular exercise and study breaks.’

‘Just relax and watch the game’ – The Star 6/6/12
Football mad students have been told they need not miss out on seeing Trap’s boys compete – so long as they fit their study plans around the matches. The exploits of the Boys in Green – who kick off against Croatia in Poznan this Sunday – is set to clash with both the Leaving and Junior Certs which begin today. A total of 116,774 students are due to take exams – 57,090 will tackle the Leaving Cert and Leaving Cert Applied while 59,864 will sit the Junior Cert. PRO of the National Parents Council of Post Primary, Jackie O’ Callaghan, says the key to exam time is ‘finding balance.’
‘There needs to be chill out time and a student who has done their study and got themselves prepared need not feel guilty over taking time out to watch a match. The sentiments have been echoed by Teachers’ Union of Ireland President Bernie Ruane. ‘Students could organise themselves so they have their study completed by the time of kick-off,’ she said.

Teachers worry about cutbacks to Leaving Cert – Evening Echo 5/6/12
The Teachers Union of Ireland has expressed concerns about the future of the Leaving Certificate Applied programme as the students of 2012 prepare to sit their exams tomorrow.
Over the last three years three years a number of budgetary cutbacks have impacted on the funding provided for this exam option. The Leaving Cert Applied is an alternative programme for students whose needs are not met by the traditional syllabus.
There is more of an emphasis on practical subjects and on preparing students from particular career paths instead of going into third level.
Bernie Ruane, president of the TUI said: We were gravely concerned both by the fall in the number of students who completed the programme in 2011 and also the fall in the number of distinctions and merits. The fall of 5% in the number of students who completed the programme was completely out of line with the slight reduction of 0.3% on last year for all Leaving Certificate programmes. This is a clear indication of the effects of cutbacks on the Leaving Certificate Applied programme.”
She said the programme was important as not every young person was suited to the traditional Leaving Cert. Ms Ruane stated: “It is therefore vital that alternative programmes which offer both experiential and academic learning methodologies are actively promoted and appropriately resourced to allow all students the opportunity of reaching their potential. Now more than ever, every student needs to be supported. The appalling alternative is that our drop-out rates increase further.”

‘Second-rate’ university risk for ITs seeking status upgrade – Irish Daily Mail 29/5/12 (extract)
Education Minister Ruairí Quinn has been warned not to turn first-rate institutes of technology into ‘second-rate’ universities.
A number of Its have united in a bid to gain the recognition as technological universities and sent expressions of interest to the Higher Education Authority.
However, the Teachers’ Union of Ireland has warned that these Institutes which have ‘fallen over each other’ to be upgraded are not suited to university status.
General secretary John MacGabhann said: ‘It may well be the case that technological university status would be appropriate for some of the institutes but it is by no means clear that it would be appropriate for all.
In the Institute of Technology sector, certain stakeholders have fallen over each other to suggest that clustering and amalgamations are urgently required if the glittering prize of technological university status is to be realised,’ said Mr MacGabhann….
……..But speaking at a seminar on higher education in Dublin yesterday, Mr MacGabhann said some amalgamations would not serve students, the region or the economy.
The TUI is now advising the various amalgamated IT groups to ‘proceed with caution’.
Once ITs have submitted an expression of interest they must then show they can meet the criteria before being considered by the Higher Educatoin Authority for elevation to university status.

Union defends lecturers' holidays – Irish Times 28/5/12
A TEACHING union has defended the summer holidays and working hours of lecturers in the institutes of technology and accused critics of “mischievous inaccuracies”.
Last week, the Higher Education Authority (HEA) pointed out how lecturers in the institutes begin their summer holidays on June 20th; it also highlighted how they are required to lecture for only 16 hours per week.
John MacGabhann, the general secretary of the Teacher’s Union of Ireland (TUI) said recent months had seen “persistent and mischievous propagation of inaccuracies and lies regarding the working conditions of lecturers within the institutes”. Institute lecturers, he said, teach 18-20 hours a week where the international norm is 10-12.
“For each hour of teaching, a multiple is also spent in evaluation and preparation. Included in a lengthy list of other academic responsibilities are research, devising and updating syllabi on an on-going basis, course development and planning and extensive continuous and final assessment.”
Mr MacGabhann said the spreading of blatant falsehoods about those working within higher education was unacceptable. Institute lecturers have never found themselves more stretched because of the record increase in student numbers and the impact of cuts.

Testing Times (extracts from feature article on incidents of disruption in schools) – Sunday Times 27/5/12
For the most part, end of year celebrations are carried off without fuss. John MacGabhann, general secretary of the Teachers’ Union of Ireland, a body that represents 14,500 teachers in second and third-level education agrees: “Every year you have 50,000 students doing the Leaving Cert and every year you hear about a handful. So what about the rest of them? They are high spirited too, except they comport themselves with something approaching dignity…….Schools are criticised for being too heavy-handed in their response, but if something similar were to happen in the workplace, the result of that type of online behaviour would be the loss of someone’s job. We need to take into account the effect on the victim, whether they be a child or a teacher.”
The incidents in recent weeks are forcing some schools to revisit their codes of conduct. “Schools need to make a distinction between madcap capers by students, and something that has the potential to cause serious damage, be that reputational damage or physical or emotional injury to other students and teachers,” MacGabhann warned. “That you can be shamed in front of the entire world on social networking sites in a manner that can never be fully expunged or deleted, and to which you can’t respond without giving credence to the jibe, ups the ante significantly.”
Ruairi Quinn, the education minister, launched a departmental anti-bullying forum this month, exploring ways to tackle the problem in schools. The Teachers’ Union of Ireland welcomed it, saying training was vital for the whole school community to enable it to stand up to the challenges posed by cyber bullying.

Funding threat to VEC creches - Irish Times 21/5/12
'The Teachers’ Union of Ireland has criticised the development, as creches in vocational colleges in counties Clare, Limerick, Carlow and Cork close in coming months and the City of Dublin VEC closes its three creches – in Ballyfermot, Cabra and Whitehall – at the end of June, with the loss of 72 childcare places.'

Freedom of speech in Bahrain - Irish Times 18/5/12
'On foot of your paper’s excellent article by Mary Fitzgerald (“Why Bahraini human rights matter in Dublin”, Education Today, May 8th). We write to help broaden the issue to include the plight of the many teachers, academics and students who face charges related to exercising their basic rights to freedom of speech and right of assembly during the recent pro-democracy rallies in the Kingdom of Bahrain....' Letter from General Secretaries of TUI, ASTI, INTO and IFUT.

'No intervention' over creches - Irish Times 17/5/12

The Department of Children will not intervene to save childcare facilities in vocational colleges across the State despite widespread calls for them to be kept.

A spokeswoman for the Department said VEC creches were being run too expensively and if they reduced their costs there was no reason why they should not be able to continue operating.

She said the other 95 per cent of childcare facilities being funded by the department were facing the same funding cuts and would continue operating.

About half the 20 VEC creches are to close at the end of June due to cuts from the Department of Children introduced in last December’s budget.

The Teachers' Union of Ireland has criticised the development, as creches in vocational colleges in counties Clare, Limerick, Carlow and Cork close in coming months and the City of Dublin VEC closes its three creches – in Ballyfermot, Cabra and Whitehall – at the end of June, with the loss of 72 childcare places.

At a protest outside the headquarters of the City of Dublin VEC in Ballsbridge this evening, student parents who use the creches, teachers and other staff called on the the CDVEC to reverse its decision to close the creches and “demand adequate funding from the Government to ensure the survival of these vital facilities”.

Technology in classroom still in the Dark Ages – Brian O’ Connell – Irish Times, 26/4/12 (extract below)
Schools in disadvantaged areas may have been able to access capital grants for IT equipment, but the maintenance of these facilities can cost anything up to €3,000 a year. For schools already struggling under existing budgetary constraints, inevitably it will fall on an ICT-savvy member of staff to try to fit in maintaining the equipment around their other duties.
And how many teachers in Irish classrooms have computer science or computer networking qualifications? In many other countries in Europe, dedicated technicians are available to schools to help maintain IT systems, and computer science graduates are being sought out for class teaching.
But Teachers’ Union of Ireland president Bernie Ruane is correct when she says there has been a “lack of real engagement on best national practice for the use of new technology in the classroom. ”
Teachers are already trying to cope with an unnecessarily broad curriculum – often the argument centres around what subjects should be dropped to develop computer learning. The question we should be asking is why teaching joined-up handwriting is seen as more important than learning to type or code in our current schools system.

RTE One's The Week in Politics - Sunday 15th April 2012
TUI General Secretary John MacGabhann interviewed in relation to Croke Park Agreement. He warns that any move to cut teacher allowances would be a breach of the Agreement and in such a situation, all bets would be off.

Rising leaders would agree: anger is no excuse for cheap shots - Sunday Times Sunday 15th April 2012 (extract)
'But just as anger isn't a policy, neither is it a catch-all excuse for shoddy behaviour, particularly from a group which has less cause to be angry than other sectors of society. Notably, the most militant teaching union, the TUI, treated their guest with measured politeness. It was a salutory example of the capacity to disagree vehemently with somebody while maintaining basic standards of civility.'

Print summary Friday 13th April:

Survey finds schools will have lost five middle management posts - Irish Times 13/4/12
Click here to read article

Calls for full training to ensure pupil integration - Irish Times 13/4/12
Click here to read article

Falling family incomes add to cutback effects - Irish Examiner 13/4/12
Click here to read article

Fee-paying students two years ahead in literacy - Irish Times 13/4/12
Click here to read article

Parents finding it hard to buy books - Irish Independent 13/4/12
Click here to read article

Students at religious run private schools do better - Irish Examiner 13/4/12
Click here to read article

Ex-minister in tweet attack on teacher unions - Irish Daily Mail 13/4/12
TUI General Secretary John MacGabhann defends TUI Congress from Gemma Hussey's criticism. 'The first and most important thing is that our conference is a business meeting,' he says.

Teachers 'overworked' by education cuts - The Star 13/4/12

TUI conference discussed on Newstalk's Lunchtime programme.

Print summary Thursday 12th April:
Delegates hope cool reception teachers Quinn a lesson - Irish Times 12/4/12
Click here to read article

Minister rules out cuts to teacher allowances - Irish Times 12/4/12
Click here to read article

Quinn to tackle anti-gay legislation - Irish Examiner 12/4/12
Click here to read article

Second bashing for Quinn as he sticks to his guns over cutbacks - Irish Independent 12/4/12
Click here to read article

Support for mother of children with autism - Irish Times 12/4/12
Click here to read article

Treatment of starting teachers 'a disgrace' - Irish Examiner 12/4/12
Click here to read article

Articles also in Star, Daily Mirror, Irish Daily Mail and Evening Herald.

Broadcast summary Thursday 12th April:
TUI conference covered on RTE Radio One's John Murray Show and on all major national and regional news bulletins

Print Wednesday 11th April
Allowances cut would kickstart unrest - Irish Times 11/4/12
Click here to read article

Industrial action on cards if pay is cut, warn teachers - Irish Examiner 11/4/12
Click here to read article

Institutes' rush to secure university status 'could do more damage than good' - Irish Examiner 11/4/12
Click here to read article

Labour bids to cut €90m subsidy for fee-paying schools- Irish Independent 11/4/12
Click here to read article

Teachers 'could be jailed' if they oppose inspection - Irish Examiner 11/4/12
Click here to read article

Teachers threaten to go on strike - Irish Independent 11/4/12
Click here to read article

Union urged to lobby for reforms to protect teachers - Irish Times 11/4/12
Click here to read article

We will not stand idly by if pay is cut - Irish Examiner 11/4/12
Click here to read article

Cut wages and we will strike - The Star 11/4/12

Broadcast summary Wednesday 11th April:
TUI Congress covered on RTE television's One, Six and Nine news bulletins and TV 3 and TG4 news bulletins - TUI Congress covered on RTE's Morning Ireland & News At One - TUI members Christina Clarke and Patrick Hogan discuss challenges facing young teachers on RTE's Today With Pat Kenny - Fergal Keane reports from TUI conference and interviews delegates on RTE Radio 1's Drivetime programme - Deputy General Secretary Annette Dolan interviewed on Newstalk's Lunchtime programme - Conference covered on various Newstalk, Today FM and regional news bulletins throughout the day.

Teachers threaten industrial action if allowances cut - breakingnews.ie 10/4/12

John MacGabhann interviewed on RTE One's Six News 10/4/12

TUI General Secretary John MacGabhann interviewed on RTE Radio 1's Drivetime programme regarding allowances payable to teachers 10/4/12

TUI conference discussed on Newstalk's Lunchtime programme and RTE Radio 1's News At One

TUI General Secretary John MacGabhann interviewed on RTE One O' Clock television news - warns that any move to cut teacher allowances would be a breach of Croke Park Agreement and that executive committee has already passed a motion to ballot for industrial action in such an event. Teachers have adhered fully to their side of the bargain, he states 10/4/12

Congress is not a whinge-fest - Opinion editorial in Irish Times by TUI General Secretary John MacGabhann 10/4/12
"Delegates engage, participate, and decide. They are not merely an audience. Of course we deal with conditions of service of our members. That is our business. To highlight the income poverty of serving teachers and, particularly, of those new to the profession is not to whinge, rather it is to focus on an issue of systemic and societal importance. When we state that maintaining the quality of the teaching profession involves paying teachers and lecturers a proper salary, we are defending the interests of our members but, equally, defending the quality of our public education system." Click link above for full article.

Warning over cut to staffing levels - Irish Times 10/4/12
Student numbers in the institutes of technology have increased by 18 per cent since 2008 – but staff numbers have decreased by 7 per cent over the same period, according to new figures from the Teachers’ Union of Ireland.

A further 2 per cent cut in staff numbers is planned for this year. The union has warned that class sizes and lecturer workload have increased significantly as a result, with appropriate levels of support no longer available to those students who require them.

This increased workload, it says, is having a severely detrimental effect on the research capacity of institutes. Click link above for full article.

Student numbers limit time to teach - Irish Examiner 10/4/12
Rising student numbers and workload increases are limiting the time available for teaching, support, and research by falling numbers of institute of technology lecturers, their union claims.

The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) said the institutes have seen full-time student numbers rise by 18% to 11,310 from 2008 to last year.

However, in the same period, the number of lecturing staff in the 14 colleges fell almost 7% from 4,845 to 4,516, with more likely to have retired up to the end-of-February deadline to avoid pension cuts.

TUI general secretary John MacGabhann, who will address the union’s annual congress in Wexford today, said class sizes and lecturer workload have increased significantly as a result of the changes, and the appropriate levels of support are no longer available to students who need it. Click link above for full article.

TUI President Bernie Ruane warns that teachers' allowances are an integral part of pay and that any cut would be a breach of the Croke Park Agreement - The Right Hook, Newstalk 106 9/4/12

Teachers cry foul over cuts - Irish Examiner 9/4/12
Pay, pensions, and other conditions are common themes in the motions for debate by all three teacher unions this week.

The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) has a number of motions directing its leaders to work to protect pay allowances in the opening session of its annual congress in Wexford tomorrow afternoon. The minister’s hands will remain tied in terms of frontline services as long as staffing costs dominate his budget, a problem made all the more difficult by the fact that the baby boom will continue to mean more children in our schools.

TUI president Bernie Ruane said yesterday that an extra 3,000 second-level teachers would be needed in the next 12 years just to keep pace with the estimated 18% rise in student numbers by 2025. The Department of Education projects there will be 383,000 second-level enrolments then, 58,000 more than today.

However, the TUI says the Government must not use the potential cost increase as an excuse to further increase pupil-teacher ratios and impede the educational aspirations of future students.

"This need for additional teachers will also provide a window of opportunity for those young teachers currently struggling to obtain enough teaching hours to earn a living. And it should also offer hope to those young people currently studying to join the profession," said Ms Ruane.

Over 3,000 new teachers needed by 2025, insists union - Irish Times 9/4/12
MORE THAN 3,000 additional teachers will be required to cope with the increase in student numbers, according to a teacher’s union. The Teachers’ Union of Ireland says the projected increase of 20 per cent in student numbers at second level over the next 12 years must boost teacher numbers.
Its annual conference, which begins tomorrow, is expected to rail against any further increases in the pupil-teacher ratio. Department of Education projections indicate second-level enrolment student numbers will increase from 325,000 to about 383,000 by 2025, an increase of 18 per cent. The union estimates that 3,000 additional teachers (about 230 per annum) will be required. Union president Bernie Ruane....(click link above for full article.)

Cuts blamed as teachers turn away from teaching - Irish Independent 9/4/12

Teachers' Union of Ireland general secretary John Mac Gabhann said there was a growing fear that creeping casualisation would work against attracting the best young talent to the profession.

"Clearly, this is damaging for the profession, damaging for students and damaging for our future society," he said.

3,000 more teachers needed - Daily Star 9/4/12
Warning on student hike - Daily Mirror 9/4/12

TUI Deputy General Secretary Annette Dolan interviewed on RTE 1's Six and Nine news bulletins regarding the Minister's plans to inititiate a forum on bullying, with a particular focus on homophobic bullying. Stated that union's conference taking place and TUI again calls on the Minister to repeal Section 37(1) of the Employment Equality Act. 8/4/12

Teacher union calls for more consultation on VEC reforms - Sunday Business Post 8/4/12
The Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI) has called on the Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairi Quinn, to involve the teachers' unions in the proposed amalgamation of Vocational Education Committees...

Cutbacks at top of teacher unions' conference agendas - Sunday Business Post 8/4/12
Extensive interview with TUI General Secretary John MacGabhann ahead of TUI's annual Congress.

School cuts in subjects ‘may affect investment’ – Irish Examiner 7/4/12

Teachers’ Union of Ireland president Bernie Ruane said there would be a deficit in guidance and welfare support and loss of subject options, as well as the teaching of higher and ordinary-level students in the same classes, due to the inclusion of guidance provision within schools’ teacher allocations for the first time.

"It is not alarmist to suggest that we could see a rise in problems such as a rise in truancy and student drop- out as a result of further cuts to the pastoral and support framework of schools."

Fears over drop-outs in school - Irish Mirror 7/4/12

Secondary school drop out rates could rise following the loss of guidance counselling provison. The Teachers' Union of Ireland claim the cuts will hit the most marginalised students hardest. Speaking ahead of the TUI's annual conference next week, President Bernie Ruane criticised the move. She added....

TUI President Bernie Ruane warns that the cuts to guidance provision could lead to increased incidents of drop-out and other problems among marginalised students – radio news bulletins on Newstalk 106, Spin 103.8, Q102, FM104 and a number of regional radio stations 7/4/12

TUI: Cutbacks in education will have dire consequences – breakingnews.ie 7/4/12

Regional media campaign (March/April 2012)
Ahead of the union’s annual Congress, TUI calculated the approximate loss of posts in second level schools as a result of changes to the guidance counselling provision on a county-by-county basis and furnished regional media with statements outlining the likely loss of posts and the detrimental effect the cut will have on the service to students.
Coverage was gained in a number of newspapers including the Tullamore Tribune, Clare People, Dundalk Democrat, New Ross Standard, Meath Chronicle, Donegal News, Nenagh Guardian, Tipperary Star, Connaught Telegraph, Clare Champion, Carlow Nationalist, Kilkenny People, Longford Leader, Roscommon Herald, Westmeath Independent, Enniscorthy Guardian, Gorey Guradian, Laois Nationalist and Offaly Independent, Carlow People, Midland Tribune, Drogheda Independent, Waterford News & Star, Wicklow People.

Union slams pay freeze - Irish Mirror 30/3/12
The freeze on new teachers' allowances was slammed yesterday. Teachers' Union of Ireland chief John MacGabhann said the operation of schools is being "seriously impaired by severe cuts" to certain positions. He added: "Allowances such as assistant principal are payable to those who hold vital middle management positions. These posts involve significant additional work over and above full teaching duties in ensuring the safe running of schools."

Allowances of €2.5bn paid out to teachers – Payments often integral to salary or for necessary work, say unions – Irish Examiner 29/3/12
Teachers have been paid allowances totalling €2.5bn on top of their salaries over the last five years, figures from the Department of Education show……. Unions insist that the Croke Park deal protects allowances, as well as salaries, from further cuts.
The Teachers’ Union of Ireland executive decided in February to ballot members for authority to instruct withdrawal from reforms under Croke Park if there was any cut to pay, including allowances.
The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation said qualifications allowances were an integral part of salary and pensions, while other payments were made for extra work needed for the proper running of schools.
TUI general secretary John MacGabhann said allowances such as assistant principal payments were payable to those who hold middle management positions, such as year heads.
"These posts involve significant additional work over and above full teaching duties in ensuring the safe running of schools and provision of a pastoral service to students," he said.

TUI General Secretary John MacGabhann debates educational reform with IBEC's Tony O' Donoghue and Ivan Yates on Newstalk's Breakfast programme 27/3/12

Anseo! How a new generation of gay teachers is fighting back - article in Irish Times. Includes contact details for TUI LGBT network. 27/3/12

Letter from TUI President Bernie Ruane regarding article on higher education published in Irish Times 23/3/12 Click here to read

"While Paul Mooney’s musings (Inside third level, Education Today, March 20th) appear to relate only to the university sector in which he once worked, it is most unfortunate that he refers to “third-level” rather than universities in some of his points. We can only assume that this is an error in labelling, because in institutes of technology at least, his points do not bear even a passing resemblance to the daily realities...."

TUI General Secretary John MacGabhann warns of the dangers of Institutes of Technology abandoning apprenticeship courses in what the union has labelled 'mission drift'. RTE Radio 1's Morning Ireland, 21/3/12 Click here to listen

TUI's rejection of call to abolish Transition Year covered in Evening Herald, Daily Mirror and on Newstalk's Right Hook programme. TUI President Bernie Ruane also interviewed on Clare FM and LMFM radio stations.

declan TUI Assistant General Secretary Declan Glynn interviewed on RTE 1's Six and Nine television news bulletins regarding call for Transition Year to be abolished. Such a move would be hugely damaging to the interests of students, TUI believes. 19/3/12

Quinn accused of spin on building 157 schools - Irish Daily Mail 13/3/12
The Teachers’ Union of Ireland welcomed the school building initiative, but warned that similar investment must be made to at least maintain current pupil-teacher ratios. General Secretary John MacGabhann said: ““This programme is absolutely necessary to provide the brick and mortar facilities that the country’s growing school-going population will require in the coming years. However, it is equally essential that these children be afforded at least the same level of service as those currently in the education system…… . At a very minimum, the Government needs to commit to maintaining the current pupil teacher ratio as we enter into a most crucial period of our history.”

Teachers’ warn over €1.5b schools plan – Unions demand staff numbers be kept up Irish Star 13/3/12
The Teachers’ Union of Ireland has said a similar investment must be made in at least maintaining current pupil-teacher ratios. TUI general secretary John MacGabhann said the new programme is absolutely necessary to provide the brick-and-mortar facilities that will be required in the coming years. However, he also said that “the Government needs to commit to maintaining the current pupil-teacher ratio. “Demographic changes cannot be used as an excuse to further asset strip the education system,” he said.
Mr MacGabhann said a further worsening of the pupil-teacher ratio would mean larger class groups and less subject choice.

Minister accused of ‘spin’ on school plan – Irish Times 13/3/12
Teachers’ Union of Ireland general secretary John MacGabhann welcomed the initiative but said similar investment must be made in at least maintaining current pupil-teacher ratios.

TUI Education and Research Officer Bernie Judge interviewed on TV3 News regarding investment in capital projects. Rising student population cannot be used as excuse to worsen teacher ratios, she says. 12/3/12

TUI General Secretary John MacGabhann interviewed on Today FM news bulletins re announcement of €1.5b investment in capital school project. Teacher ratios must be maintained as school-going population grows, TUI warns. 12/3/12

Quinn unveils schools programme - Irish Times 13/3/12
The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) welcomed the announcement of the school building initiative but warned that similar investment must be made to at least maintain current pupil teacher ratios.

“This programme is absolutely necessary to provide the brick and mortar facilities that the country’s growing school-going population will require in the coming years," said TUI general secretary John MacGabhann said. "However, it is equally essential that these children be afforded at least the same level of service as those currently in the education system if they are to be allowed every chance to reach their full potential.

"At a very minimum, the Government needs to commit to maintaining the current pupil teacher ratio as we enter into a most crucial period of our history. Our growing school-going population is our greatest asset and demands investment."

New teachers face cut to €4,400 allowance in public pay shake-up – Irish Independent 9/3/12
However, public service unions insist that allowances and premium payments are an integral part of pay. The two second-level teacher unions, the TUI and ASTI, have already signalled that they will take a hard line if they consider Croke Park to be breached.

Today FM News bulletins – TUI responds to demand for technology courses by warning that any further threat to pupil teacher ratio would put some subjects under threat – 9/3/12

A simple formula for education - Irish Times letter 18/2/12

Sir, – Like anybody else, Ivan Yates is entitled to his opinion. However, this opinion loses all credibility when built on the crumbling foundations of inaccurate, poorly researched and misleading pseudo-analysis (Education Today, February 14th). He makes reference to lecturers having a teaching commitment of only six hours per week. In institutes of technology, this is far from the reality. Institute lecturers teach 16 to 18 hours per week; the international norm is 10 to 12. Moreover, for each hour of teaching, a multiple of this is spent in preparation, evaluation and reflection. In addition to this core commitment, they have a lengthy list of other academic responsibilities including research, devising and updating syllabuses on an on-going basis, course development and planning and extensive continuous and final assessment.

At a time when we hear much lip service to the concept of the knowledge economy, lecturers in institutes also carry out extensive applied research. They create the new knowledge that is so vital to this country.

Meanwhile, Mr Yates is not comparing like with like in terms of second level teaching hours. The number of core teaching hours in Ireland (735) is higher than both the OECD average of 679 and the 714 hour figure for England. In addition to this, a survey carried out by Behaviour Attitudes two years ago showed that when all aspects of the job are included, Irish second-level teachers work an average of 46 hours per week, which is considerably above the norms elsewhere. Furthermore, neither the second- nor third-level figures outlined above include the new commitments under the current Public Service Agreement.

Any debate on education is a welcome one and the quality of our public education system should be a matter for robust public discourse. However, it should always be grounded in fairness and accuracy. – Yours, etc,

BERNIE RUANE,
President,
Teachers’ Union of Ireland,
Orwell Road, Rathgar,
Dublin 6.

Salaries linked to success in education - Irish Times 17/2/12
Responding to the report, TUI general secretary John MacGabhann said that, while the union agreed that the quality of teaching was the primary determinant of learning outcomes, he disagreed with its findings on class size.

“Of itself, that is not an argument for larger class sizes because it is self-evident that the larger the class size, the less time and attention teachers can give to individual student needs in an integrated classroom environment.”

Mr MacGabhann added that in order to maintain a high-quality teaching force, an appropriate level of investment in salaries was required.

What retirement has taught me - Irish Times 14/2/12

Tom Fennell "I miss the excitement of working with young people"

Retired in 2009 : I’m having the best time since I retired more than two years ago. I had been lecturing in consumer behaviour at DIT on Aungier Street. My wife retired before me. She does a lot with the local church, so I help her out a bit. My two sons are doing PhDs and I do some proof-reading for them. We do a lot more travelling now. We went to Kinsale for three days last week. You get great value when you can go to these places during the week.

I still see my colleagues but I miss the excitement of working with young people, full of verve, drive, hope and enthusiasm. They are on a tremendous adventure and it’s a privilege to be involved in it. I went on courses for about five years before I retired and I’d recommend that. The union (Teachers Union of Ireland) and DIT were very good for that. It’s not so much the information you pick up – it’s that you are reshaping your perspectives, acclimatising yourself.

Teacher allowances cut ‘would be end of Croke Park reform’- Irish Examiner 13/2/12

Any cut to teacher allowances would be a breach of the Croke Park agreement and would result in the end of reforms under the deal, a union has warned.

The Department of Education suspended payment of allowances to new teachers and others taking up additional posts from Feb 1. Similar moves are in effect across the public sector pending a review, due at the end of the month, of all allowances and premiums by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

It aims to find savings of €75m this year from the annual €2bn cost of allowances and overtime.

The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) says any cut in allowances would be a cut in pay and would involve a breach of the Croke Park agreement, under which public service pay is protected from further cuts in return for reforms and increased productivity.

The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform said last night that the focus of the review is on new entrants to the public service and workers not currently receiving particular allowances.

But the relatively low number of people being recruited into the public service means the savings needed will be hard to find without cutting existing allowance payments.

Figures published by the Irish Examiner in 2009 showed that over €500m of that year’s €3.8bn pay bill for 60,000 primary and second level teachers was paid in allowances.

"Should the Government decide to cut teachers’ pay it would, in effect, amount to industrial action by the Government," said TUI general secretary John MacGabhann.

The union executive decided on Friday that it will ballot members for power to instruct them to withdraw from commitments given under Croke Park if there is any further erosion of pay, following what Mr MacGabhann said were the "provocative actions" of the Government in freezing allowances.

The proposed ballot would also mandate action up to strike level if the Government "retaliates" against any withdrawal from Croke Park reforms.

Mr MacGabhann said they have fully complied, in good faith, with the terms of the agreement and implemented changes such as additional hours in schools and colleges.

"The union now requires the Government also to act in good faith and honour its side of the agreement," he said.

Teachers’ pay generally includes allowances of up to €6,000 in recognition of qualifications, but rates were cut for those appointed since Jan 2011. The qualifications allowances cost over €250m in 2009, with over €60m in allowances to principals.

TUI to ballot on withdrawing from Croke Park agreement - Irish Times 11/2/12

The Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) has decided to ballot members on withdrawal from the Croke Park agreement. This follows confirmation by the Government to public service unions that allowances to all existing public servants are to be reduced. Allowances payable to all new recipients (not only new entrants) will not be paid until a review has been completed.

In some cases the pay of teachers could be reduced by over €2,500 a year. All these allowances are pensionable and the cut would result in a reduction in pensions for serving primary and second-level teachers. At third level, allowances for marking examination papers, projects and theses will be cut.

TUI to ballot on exiting Croke Park deal - RTE 10/2/12

TUI criticism of allowances freeze also covered in Irish Daily Mail and The Star 2/2/12

Suspension of allowances criticised - Irish Times 2/2/12
The Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI) condemned the decision as an outrageous betrayal of trust by the Government.

Speaking this evening, TUI General Secretary John MacGabhann said: "We unreservedly condemn this outrageous unilateral action which completely flies in the face of and shows contempt for agreed industrial relations procedures.

"This will have savage consequences for teachers, particularly those at the point of entry to the profession. The net result will see new teachers entering the profession earning up to 30 pe cent less than what they earned two years ago."

"What we are seeing here is the unremitting destruction of teaching as a profession. This will have enormous consequences in terms of who will be attracted to the profession."

"The bitter irony is that the Department of Education and the Teaching Council are looking to expand the training period for teachers to a minimum of six years following which the vast majority will struggle to secure any teaching hours on temporary contracts."

"In the context of the Croke Park Agreement that the union has in good faith engaged with, this is cynical betrayal of trust. The union demands the immediate reversal of this underhand decision which constitutes another direct attack on frontline services."

Education gains 'can be kept with small pay cuts' – Irish Independent 2/2/12
A post-primary principals' leader says that it would be better to cut teachers' pay than to reduce staffing in schools in order to save money.
Clive Byrne, director of the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) said a small cut in salary would be enough to sustain the gains made in the education system over the last 15 years.
John MacGabhann, general secretary of the Teachers' Union of Ireland said new teachers and those not on full hours had been particularly badly hit by a litany of cuts.
"We expect agreements that we have entered into in good faith to be honoured on all sides and we also expect that any matters related to salary will be addressed in the proper... settings," he said.

TUI President Bernie Ruane discusses funding for schools on TV3's Midweek programme with journalist Fiona Looney and principal of Belvedere College Gerry Foley. TUI General Secretary John MacGabhann also interviewed 1/2/12

Interview with TUI General Secretary John MacGabhann regarding cut to allowances on RTE Radio 1's Morning Ireland. 1/2/12 Click here to listen.

Unions demand return of teacher allowances - RTE 1/2/12

TUI Deputy General Secretary Annette Dolan interviewed on Newstalk 106's Lunchtime programme on the effects of the spike in retirements at the end of February.

Annette Dolan also interviewed on allowance cuts on Phantom FM 1/2/12.

New public servants not eligible for extra payments - Irish Examiner 1/1/12
Education is likely to be hit hardest as most of the 1,000-plus teachers leaving schools this month can be replaced.

However, allowances for new principals and deputy principals will continue to be paid, and teachers who have already been paid by the department will still be eligible for a qualifications allowance, until after the review at least.

But the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) said the loss of allowances will see new teachers earning almost 30% less than those who entered the profession two years ago. The TUI general secretary, John MacGabhann, said it was ironic when the training period for second-level teaching is being extended and most new teachers will struggle to get work.

TUI member and Principal and Deputy Principals Association (PDA) president Mick Daly interviewed as part of Irish Times feature 31/1/12 on the reflections of teachers due to retire at the end of February.

Students 'will not be hit by exodus of teachers' - Irish Independent 24/1/12

Letter published in Sunday Times 22/1/12
Brenda Power’s assertion that the State saves €3,500 per head annually on the education of students in private, fee-paying schools (Sunday Times 8/1/12) is simply wrong.
The State currently provides just under 24 teachers to a fee-paying school of 500 students and just over 26 teachers to its non-fee-paying equivalent – a difference of 2.5 teachers.
Annual capitation and support grants provided by the State to non-fee paying schools (but not provided to fee-paying schools) amount to some €900 per student. Therefore, a non-fee paying school of 500 students gets €450,000 annually in state grants.
Meanwhile, a 500 student fee-paying school which charges €5,000 per year in tuition fees attracts €2.5m annually in fee income; over and above the subvention paid to it by the State in the form of the allocation of 24 teachers.
If the fee paying school were to (match the non-fee-paying school and) allocate €450,000 of its fee income to running costs it would have in excess of €2m left over with which it could comfortably reimburse the State for the full cost of its allocation of 24 teachers. Having done this, the fee-paying school would still have a kitty of €600,000 or so. This could, if it so wished, be used to engage 10 additional teachers, bringing its complement of teachers to 34, some 8 more than the non-fee paying school. In short, there is no reasonable basis for Ms Power’s contention that such a school would close or would choose to abandon its fee-paying, privileged status.
Were fee-paying schools to reimburse the State for their teacher allocation, an additional €100m per year would be available to the State to ameliorate or reverse some of the deep and damaging education cuts of recent years, cuts that have disproportionately affected disadvantaged and marginalised children, families and communities.
That said, we do recognise the particular difficulty facing minority faith fee-paying schools which serve a geographically dispersed student cohort and may therefore need to maintain a boarding facility. Such schools may depend on State funding to survive. Such exceptions apart, the State’s continuing subsidisation of fee-paying schools is both unnecessary and unconscionable.
John MacGabhann
General Secretary
Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI)
73 Orwell Rd
Rathgar
Dublin 6

Pressure for teaching posts may begin to ease – Sunday Business Post 15/1/12
“Cutbacks and reduced resources have been the focus of late, leading to much gloom. There are some positives, however. Population expansion in the coming years, already visible at primary level but soon to be visible at second level, is certain to create demand for teachers,” said Bernie Judge, education officer with the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI). Judge said that studying part-time was an increasingly popular option in an economic environment where fees were up and grant assistance wasn’t as readily available. Whatever the mode of study, students should select subjects according to interest and aptitude, she added.
“Graduates need to have a level of certainty about the subjects they have taken on or want to pursue. For second level, I would say it’s important to have at least two,” she said.

Quinn admits mistake in plan to cuts school staff - Irish Examiner 14/1/12
Teachers Union of Ireland general secretary John MacGabhann said: "If, as is suggested, money has to be found elsewhere within the education budget, it cannot be at the expense of those non-DEIS, non-fee paying schools already targeted for swingeing cuts on numerous occasions in recent years and now struggling to provide a basic frontline service to students."

However, some of the jobs arising will be short-lived because of changes to the pupil-teacher ratio in September.

Of the 1,600 teachers who have signed up to retire early, 799 are in second-level schools and will be replaced up to June. However, Budget cuts will strip second-level schools of 700 teaching posts in September.

Teachers' Union of Ireland general secretary John MacGabhann said that the Budget changes would rob new teachers of the opportunity to gain employment.

Responding to Minister Quinn's comments that money to reverse some cutbacks will have to be taken from other areas of the education budget, the Teachers' Union of Ireland has said that schools in the public system must be protected if they are to provide an adequate service to students - RTE 1 Radio news bulletins 13/1/12

TUI statement sent to Newstalk's Breakfast programme regarding Professor Ed Walsh's interview 11/1/12

Based on his various assertions and generalisations in yesterday’s interview, The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) believes that Professor Ed Walsh is completely out of touch with the realities of education and teaching in 2012.

Hundreds of teachers have lost their jobs as a result of cutbacks in recent years. Very many teachers are part-time hours and/or temporary contracts – like thousands of others, they struggle to meet financial commitments. Perversely, a freeze on increments – apart from being a breach of the Croke Park agreement - would hit younger, lower paid teachers the hardest.

Professor Walsh stated that Irish teachers have the shortest school year in the EU. However, the latest OECD figures clearly show that he is simply wrong. The number of teaching hours of second level teachers in Ireland (735) is over 8% higher than the OECD average of 679 and 3% higher than the 714 hour figure for England.

Teachers are subject to ever more rigorous accountability mechanisms at a time when the administrative burden in the job has soared. Independent research by Behaviour and Attitudes two years ago shows that Irish second level teachers work an average of 47 hours per week. They don’t expect particular praise or credit for this but neither do they deserve the bilious and inaccurate vilification so regularly and complacently peddled by self-styled commentators such as Professor Walsh.

Parents 'penalised' for choosing fee-paying schools – Irish Times 4/1/12
The Teachers’ Union of Ireland has welcomed the inquiry into what it termed “this huge subvention of privilege”.
John MacGabhann, TUI general secretary, said: “Now more than ever, it is unacceptable that the State should sponsor privilege. We anticipate that any fair report to the Minister will surely find it completely unconscionable that large numbers of these schools continue to enjoy the unfair benefits of a double-funding mechanism.”
On RTÉ’s News at One yesterday, Mr Whyte stressed how private schools do not receive capitation and other supports available to their counterparts in the State sector. Private schools, he said, must pay for their own maintenance, refurbishments, heating, light and other costs.
Mr MacGabhann said each pupil in a State school generated capitation payments of only about €900 a year. With fees averaging about €5,000 a year, private schools still enjoyed huge discretionary income – even after all costs have been paid. In his view, private schools could afford to pay their own teachers and still retain some profit.
The audit is designed to distinguish between private schools which have significant discretionary income and those – like many Protestant boarding schools – that are struggling to survive.
Mr MacGabhann said he would draw a distinction between the bulk of fee-paying schools and those minority-faith schools which often depend on State funding to survive. “Clearly, these must continue to be appropriately supported.” (Click link above for full article)

TUI position on investigation also covered in Irish Daily Mirror and the Irish Daily Mail 4/1/12

Excerpt from John MacGabhann interview played on RTE Radio 1's Drivetime programme 3/1/12

TUI General Secretary John MacGabhann interviewed on RTE Radio 1's News At One in relation to TUI's welcome of the announcement of an audit of the finances of fee paying schools 3/1/2012

Not all fee-paying schools are created equal - Irish Times, 3/1/12
The decision to target fee-paying schools reflects anger – especially among the Labour grassroots and the Teachers’ Union of Ireland, whose members mostly teach in the vocational and comprehensive/community schools.

They see private schools as elitist and resent how the State supports them with up to €100 million annually, most of it used to pay teacher salaries.

Earlier this year, Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn rejected the union’s call for for the abolition of State support for fee-paying schools. Union president Bernie Ruane said these schools had been repeatedly shown to be bottom of the table when it came to inclusivity, especially with regard to embracing students with special needs.

She challenged Quinn to address what she described as “educational apartheid”.

Parents, she said, had to collect supermarket tokens to buy computers for public schools while the State-funded “privileged schools can afford to build swimming pools and golf courses”.

Ireland is one of the few countries where the State pays the salaries of teachers in private schools. The schools in question can then use the fee income to boost their range of services and facilities. (Click link above to read full article)

Quinn sets up audit into how private schools spend €120m fees – Irish Times front page 3/1/12
MINISTER FOR Education Ruairí Quinn has asked his officials to investigate how fee-paying schools spend the €120 million they receive from parents. The investigation – due to begin soon – will also examine State investment in these schools, including funding for teachers.
Concerns have been raised by some Labour members and by the Teachers Union of Ireland that some of the bigger private schools have significant financial resources even though they continue to be supported by the State.

TUI General Secretary John MacGabhann interviewed on RTE's Six and Nine television news bulletins on potential impact of proposed reform to college entry system - 23/12/11

Overhaul will benefit students, says union - Irish Examiner 23/12/11
Proposed reforms of the college entry system should bring major benefits for second level students, the Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI) has claimed. (click link above for full article)

Education overhaul proposed by Quinn - Irish Daily Mail 23/12/11 (extract)

The Education Minister has backeda radical shake-up of the Leaving Cert and college entry system. John MacGabhann of the Teachers' Union of Ireland said: "A move to a broader based system of grading for Leaving Certificate should relieve some of the pressures that many students and parents around the country feel in putting themselves at the mercy of the grinds school industry. If implemented correctly, it could help counter criticism of elements of the examination’s integrity

Schools are being pared to the bone – Irish Daily Mail 19/12/11
Parent contributions to cover school trips and sports are being used to pay for bare essentials because of education cuts. And now Ruairi Quinn’s budgetary decision to cut the capitation grants that support pupils will have a devastating effect on our children’s education, the boards of management body has revealed.
Ferdia Kelly, general secretary of the Joint Managerial Board, which represents 400 secondary schools groups, said parents and support organisations now contribute an astonishing 3 out of every 10 euros to keep a school running.
TUI General Secretary Peter MacMenamin said: “Any cut in capitation funding clearly mitigates against those schools that do not enjoy the luxury of location in communities in which independent fundraising is always a viable option.”

Subject choices ‘hit by third-level funding crisis’ - Irish Examiner 16/12/11
Reduced subject choices within degrees, restricted library openings and cuts to student health services are among the impacts of the funding crisis in third-level education, college presidents have warned.
Their views are outlined in a report by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) study on future funding, submitted to Education Minister Ruairi Quinn in mid-November and published yesterday.
One option presented by the HEA is a limit on college intake to prevent further reductions in quality but the Teachers’ Union of Ireland said curbing numbers would make no economic sense.
“Any imposition of quotas would severely damage equity of access to higher education while directly benefiting those students from higher socio-economic backgrounds who use grind school businesses to finesse knowledge and skills already attained in mainstream second level schools,” said TUI general secretary designate John MacGabhann.

Ireland at joint top of EU third-level attainment league – Irish Times 15/12/11
IRELAND IS ranked joint first in the EU for third-level attainment among those aged 25-34, according to the latest survey from the Central Statistics Office.
In Ireland, 48 per cent of this group have a third-level qualification, compared to an EU average of just 33 per cent.
Curiously, Irish nationals aged 15-64 are less likely to have a third-level qualification than other EU nationals resident in Ireland.
About one-in-three Irish nationals aged 15-64 had attained a third-level qualification (32 per cent) but the figure for British and other nationals living here averages over 50 per cent.
The Central Statistics Office also found 9 per cent of those between 18-24 in Ireland left school after the Junior Cert. Unemployment among this group is much higher when compared to those who completed the Leaving Cert and/or third level.
Last night TUI president Bernie Ruane said: “These findings illustrate starkly just how important it is for all students to stay on in school after the Junior Certificate . . . it is short-sighted in the extreme that alternative programmes such as the Leaving Certificate Applied have been specifically targeted by swingeing cutbacks, despite their proven record in retaining students”.

Teacher union welcomes report – Irish Examiner 15/12/11
A report highlighting the effects of education cutbacks on the most disadvantaged students has been welcomed by the Teachers’ Union of Ireland. The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) paper on second level policy said changes to schools’ staffing for guidance could have a greater impact on students from less advantaged backgrounds who rely more on advice at school on college and other decisions about options.

Quinn sorry over U-turn but outraged teachers say he’s hacking at bare bones – Irish Daily Mail 6/12/11 (extract)
…..Although an increase in the pupil teacher ratio across all schools – which had been rumoured – was not implemented, teachers are extremely concerned about the cuts to guidance counsellors. The TUI described this as ‘catastrophic’, claiming subject choice will be reduced and the drop-out level could rise.
General Secretary Peter MacMenamin said: “The most likely scenario will see schools offering a stripped down guidance service from the general teaching provision while simultaneously cutting back on subject choice. As we have warned time and time again, subjects such as Honours Maths, Physics and Chemistry are the most likely to be culled as a result of any narrowing of options.”
He said: “Schools are already struggling to offer a skeletal education service from which flesh has long since been hacked away. Now the Department is attacking the bare bones.”

Quinn defends broken pledge not to introduce fees – Irish Examiner 6/12/11
The Teachers’ Union of Ireland said the cuts would further reduce services available to students, while the Irish Federation of University Teachers said the cuts contradict IMF policy that investment in higher education helped to promote future recovery in countries in economic difficulty.

RTE television news bulletins – Monday 5th December 2011
Speaking on the removal of the ex- quota guidance provision for schools on RTE1’s Six and Nine news bulletins which will see the removal of around 700 posts from second level schools, TUI General Secretary Peter MacMenamin said: “This is a devastating cut. We heard the Taoiseach say last night that there is a need to protect the most marginalised and disadvantaged in society and we aspire to that as well, but unfortunately this is actually going to directly affect the most marginalised and disadvantaged.”

Guidance cuts will see bigger classes and more drop outs – Evening Echo 6/12/11
The TUI described the effects of the cut in teacher numbers as ‘catastrophic’ for the life chances of the most vulnerable. Subject choice will be badly hit and student drop-out could also rise as a result of the cuts, the union stated.
TUI General Secretary Peter MacMenamin said: “The most likely scenario will see schools offering a stripped down guidance service from the general teaching provision while simultaneously cutting back on subject choice.”
“In the absence of the filling of year head posts, guidance counsellors are already struggling to offer the required support and care to the most at risk students all over the country. This further cut will have a devastating impact on the life chances most vulnerable young people in schools. Vital guidance offered on career options and choices will also be greatly stripped back at a time when it has never been more important. Despite this retrogressive measure, Department has stated that schools continue to have a statutory obligation in relation to the provision of guidance. “
“Student choice will suffer and there is a real risk that student drop-out will rise.”

It’s pupils who’ll suffer – School heads warn subjects will be hit by ratio changes – Irish Daily Mail 3/12/11

Some 95% of all secondary school principals say that subject choice will suffer if the pupil-teacher ratio is increased in next week’s Budget. The Teachers’ Union of Ireland has said that raising class size in secondary schools will have ‘severe repercussions’. The majority of school heads warned that subject choice would be restricted at second level if the plan went ahead.
Up to 2,000 teaching posts could be axed if the numbers increase by just one from 19 to 20 at second level and from 27 to 28 in primary schools.
Peter MacMenamin, TUI General Secretary, said: ‘Subjects such as Honours Maths, Physics and Chemistry could come under most threat, while the survival of programmes as diverse as Transition Year, the Leaving Certificate Vocational and Leaving Certificate Applied would also be called into question in many schools.
An increase in the pupil teacher ratio does not only mean more students in a classroom. It means less teachers in a school and the breadth and depth of the educational experience of students would be greatly diminished in any new attack on the sector.’
A TUI survey of principals found that 90% believe a further increase in the pupil teacher ratio could reduce subject choice at Junior Cert level.
Bernie Ruane, TUI President, said a school with 500 pupils could lose two teachers if an increase of one is announced by the Government.
‘At second level you get an allocation of teachers – not one teacher per room,’ she added. ‘So it does not mean an extra student in a classroom; it means a loss of a teacher. Subjects in many schools would have to be dropped if a teacher is lost, meaning that schools might not be able to offer students [some subjects].’
And she revealed that many schools would only be able to give students the option of one science subject and Leaving Cert level. Principals are saying that there is no way they will be able to implement the new Junior Certificate reforms if there is an increase in the pupil-teacher ratio. It is going to be disastrous for education and it will be disastrous for the economy. Multinationals are screaming out for more maths and science graduates and if we cannot offer these subjects at second level there is no way that there will be people to go onto study these at third level. It’s being whittled away bit by bit until there’s no flesh on the bones and now they are hacking into bones at this stage.’

Guidance service cuts criticised - Irish Times 2/12/11
The Teachers’ Union of Ireland also warned that the most vulnerable students would suffer as a result of any cut to guidance service provision.

"Any curtailment of the service will inevitably have a most adverse effect on those at risk students in schools who benefit most from the support framework offered," TUI general secretary Peter MacMenamin said.

More than 700 second-level schools in the State are allocated guidance counsellors under a quota system.

Under a Department of Education proposal, no specific allocation should be made for guidance counsellors.

The proposal will cut the number of guidance hours available to students in schools as well as force some teachers back into the classroom as subject teachers.

The move is highly controversial, given the high rate of suicide – especially among young males – and the increasing need among second-level pupils for guidance and counselling services.

Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn has signalled in recent days he had no alternative but to proceed with the move as he sought a 4 per cent cut in the €9 billion education budget.

200 teachers at risk as classes get bigger - Evening Herald 1/12/11 (extract)

But the Teachers’ Union of Ireland warned today that the increasing pupil-teacher ratio will result in the loss of 200 jobs in second level schools in Dublin. The ratio currently stands at 19 students per classroom – one of the highest in Europe.
TUI president Bernie Ruane told the Herald: ”Put simply, it would mean a drastic cut in the number of teachers in schools. In Dublin alone, it could result in a loss the equivalent of around 200 full-time teachers at second level. “
“In a small school, this would result in the loss of one teacher or 33 class periods per week. A larger school could lose two teachers and 66 class periods per week. School principals would be left with some drastic decisions as to how best to utilise the reduced teaching provision available. The inevitability is that subject choice would be reduced in many schools.”

Teachers say literacy training inadequate - Irish Examiner 1/12/11
More than one in three second-level English teachers feel inadequately trained to help tackle the poor literacy level of some students. Low levels of ongoing training also emerge from a survey of 474 teachers of third-year students at 134 schools where 15 year olds had their reading and comprehension skills tested as part of a global study in 2009.
Teachers’ Union of Ireland education and research officer Bernie Judge said very significant cuts to the support service for teachers have reduced opportunities for effective and ongoing CPD. She said a requirement in the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategy that all teachers take more responsibility for literacy development requires significant CPD support but that damaging poor practices will emerge and be escalated by continued cuts to education, including curtailment of training programmes.

90% in fear of pupil rise - Irish Daily Mirror 1/12/11
A survey of principals and deputy principals has revealed 90% fear an increase in the pupil-teacher ratio would seriously limit subject choice for students. The survey - carried out by the Teachers' Union of Ireland - shows such a move would have serious reprecussions for both Junior Cert and Leaving Cert pupils. TUI General Secretary Peter MacMenamin said: "An increase in the ratio means less teachers in a school and the depth of the educational experience of students would be greatly diminshed.

School funding can't be topped up by parents - Irish Examiner 29/11/11
Coverage of Post Primary Education Forum press conference organised by parent groups, school management bodies, TUI and ASTI.

Education cuts 'will push schools to breaking point' - breakingnews.ie 28/11/11

Meanwhile, a survey for the Teachers' Union of Ireland shows that almost 75% of adults believe there should be little or no cuts to education in the budget - Irish Examiner 25/11/11

Scully should quit local councils following outburst - Irish Times 25/11/11
The Teachers' Union of Ireland found 45 per cent of their members had heard or witnessed racist comments in the month before their conference in 2010.

Ringfence education says the TUI - The Star 25/11/11
The Teachers' Union of Ireland has claimed the public is against education cuts. It said yesterday that a survey it commissioned found that 'just four per cent believe education should not be insulated from cutbacks.'
A spokesman added: 'It shows that more than three out of four people believe that there should be little or no cutback in educatoin in December's Budget. The results also show taht a majority wish to see State subsidy to fee-paying schools eliminated,' the spokesman claimed.

TUI representatives have commented on the consequences of a further increase in the pupil teacher ratio in a range of local titles including: Cork Independent, Dundalk Democrat, Waterford News & Star, New Ross Echo, Enniscorthy Echo, Wexford Echo, Gorey Echo, East Cork Journal, Galway Independent, Connacht Tribune, Galway City Tribune, Clare Champion, Westmeath Independent, Offaly Independent, Roscommon Herald, Tipperary Star, Meath Chronicle, Westmeath Examiner, Kerry’s Eye.

INTO orders members to shun intern jobs scheme - Irish Independent 22/11/11
The INTO's move follows that of the Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI) which recently issued a directive for its members not to cooperate.

Fee paying schools face rise in pupil teacher ratio in Budget - Irish Times 19/11/11
The Government is to target fee-paying schools in the forthcoming buget, with changes to the pupil teacher ratio that will result in much larger class sizes next year....The move comes amid continuing controversy around the €100m State subsidy paid to 56 private schools...The minister has been under pressure from Labour grassroots and the Teachers' Union of Ireland to end support for private education.

Will our fee paying parents be squeezed until the pips squeak? - Irish Independent 16/11/11
Article in Irish Independent Education section examining State subvention to fee-paying schools. TUI's John MacGabhann extensively quoted. Independent TD Finian McGrath's raising of the issue in the Dail also mentioned.

Schools claw back €2.25m in tax breaks - Irish Daily Mail 16/11/11
The Teachers' Union of Ireland said affluent schools are benefiting at the expense of schools in more disadvantaged areas.

Wealthier schools benefit from tax breaks - Six One News, RTE 1 15/11/11
The State spent €2.25m last year on a scheme that favours the country's wealthier schools, according to data released to RTÉ by the Revenue Commissioners.
"The Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI) says that affluent schools are benefiting at the expense of all taxpayers."

A new leaf: All you need to know about the new Junior Cert - Irish Times 15/11/11 (extract below)
Interestingly, many union reps are still referring to it as the 'proposed new system', rather than the new system. Teaching unions have been involved in consulation around this reform, and are represented on the NCCA.
However, both TUI and ASTI have red-line issues that could hamper progress. For the TUI, most of whose members work in State schools, the problem is resourcing. They say that with pupil-teacher ratios on the rise there are fewer teachers in schools to implement and manage the new system.

Quinn to spend €2bn on building schools...but he warns there'll be no more money for repairs - Irish Daily Mail 11/11/11

Annette Dolan, deputy general secretary of the TUI, said: 'It will put a strain on schools which were trying to manage in older buildings and need to be updated. It would have been one of the things which would have kept schools ticking over. All new schools are going to be in areas of population growth. But schools in mature areas are obviously older and there is no other way to update the building than through the Summer Works Scheme. Some of them should have been replaced some time ago but they have been kept going through the scheme."

TUI General Secretary Designate John MacGabhann debates the continued €100m annual subvention of fee paying schools with presenters Ivan Yates and Ian Guider and Gerry Foley, principal of Belvedere College on Newstalk's Breakfast programme 10/11/11

No decision on cutting student numbers - Irish Times 10/11/11

Independent TD Finian McGrath said the Dáil’s Technical Group had discussed the issue with the Teachers’ Union of Ireland on Tuesday.
He asked why Mr Kenny was targeting the less well-off schools by comparisons with the more advantaged ones.
“For example, over €100 million is being spent on private schools,” Mr McGrath added.
“Is it because the mindset of the Cabinet is informed by the fact that 40 per cent of its members went to private schools?”
Mr McGrath said a recent Irish National Teachers’ Organisation survey of principals in disadvantaged schools showed 20 schools experienced losses of 59 teachers.
In 10 of the schools, 16 teachers were taken specifically from children with special needs.
He added 22 teachers had been taken from Traveller children in 18 schools and 74 per cent of principals reported increased challenges for such children.
Referring to Mr McGrath’s remark about Ministers attending private schools, Mr Kenny said he had been happy to cycle to school many years ago, adding he understood there were 56 fee-paying schools, 25 of which were Protestant. “I am quite sure Deputy McGrath does not intend to attack those,” he added.
Mr Kenny said the Government had no intention whatsoever of applying its focus to the detriment of those in disadvantaged schools.

'The €84m question' - Irish Daily Mail 8/11/11
Almost 84million is sitting in Department of Education coffers as school buildings crumble and thousands of pupils have to sit in draughty prefabs.
A spokesman for the TUI last night said it was unacceptable for this minister to be repeating the same mistakes of the last.

TUI opposition to PTR increase also covered in Irish Daily Mail, Daily Star and Irish Mirror 7/11/11

Metro North will not get go-ahead - Irish Times 7/11/11

Annette Dolan interviewed on RTE radio news, TG4 television, Today FM, Newstalk and various local stations on negative effects of increase in pupil teacher ratio – 6/11/11

‘Up to 2,000 teachers face axe in €2.2bn cuts’ - Sunday Times 6/11/11
Annette Dolan, the deputy general secretary of the TUI, said the proposals were almost double those being considered by the Department of Education in August. “This is very disturbing. In times of economic crisis you should be investing in education, not cutting it,” she said.
“This is not just one more pupil per class. What it means is that you have less subject choice in second level. There are other options, including the €100m a year going into fee paying schools. If cuts are to be made, that is one that won’t impact on the least well-off.”

TUI reaction to Junior Cert reform covered in Irish Examiner, Irish Times, Irish Independent and Irish Daily Mail - 4/11/11

Junior Cert reform must be properly resourced - 3/11/11
TUI Education and Research Officer Bernie Judge warns of need for appropriate resources on RTE 1's Six and Nine news bulletins.

General Secretary Peter MacMenamin intererviewed on Junior Cert reform on Today FM's Last Word programme.

Deputy General Secretary Annette Dolan interviewed on Q102's Scott Williams Show

TUI representatives interviewed on Today FM, Newstalk and various regional radio news bulletins.

Education cuts put recovery out of reach - Opinion editorial by TUI President Bernie Ruane - Irish Examiner 2/11/11
"More than at any other time in our history, and despite our economic predicament, we need to revise our thinking on education and look on it as capital investment in our young people’s future rather than current expenditure. Such a move would send out an unequivocally positive message to the international community while giving all students every possible chance to realise their educational potential. In addition, the long term economic and social dividends would be immeasurable. The question is not whether we can afford to invest in education, but rather can we afford not to." Click link above for full article.

Privilege bias at expense of marginalised must end now - Opinion editorial by TUI General Secretary Designate John MacGabhann, Irish Independent 26/10/11

"It has long been argued that private fee-paying schools would cease to exist if required to refund the estimated €100m subvention received from the State in the form of teacher allocation.

We believe that this is nonsense. Even if fees were increased, the majority of people currently doing so would continue to buy privilege.

However, even on examination of the economics involved it can be illustrated that the majority of fee-paying schools could reimburse their state funding and still have enough money to offer smaller class groups, greater subject choice and a range of other privileges." Click link above for full article.

Teachers plan to challenge lower rate for new entrants - Irish Independent 25/10/11

The Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) is also considering similar action.

A TUI spokesperson said it had sent correspondence to their legal advisors to see if the cut could be challenged as discriminatory under age or any other grounds.

"We remain gravely concerned by a situation that allows two teachers or lecturers doing the same work to be paid from different pay scales," said a TUI spokesperson.

Response to the TUI’s assertion that Junior Cert reform plans would do more damage than good - Chatterbox, Irish Times 25/10/11

Teachers welcome delay in changes to Junior Cert - thejournal.ie 21/10/11

THE TEACHERS’ UNION of Ireland has welcomed a decision by the Government to delay the introduction of a limit on subjects taken by students sitting the Junior Certificate exam.

A compulsory eight-subject limit will not be rolled out until 2014, Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn announced yesterday.

“Principals and teachers were at a complete loss as to how this may impact on the school administration next year,” TUI General Secretary Peter MacMenamin has said. (extract - click link above to read remainder.)

Number of Junior Certificate subjects to be limited to eight from 2014 - Irish Times 21/10/11

A PROPOSAL to limit the number of Junior Certificate subjects students sit exams in to eight will be put in place in 2014, Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn has said.

Mr Quinn announced yesterday that the reduced number of subjects students sit will apply to those pupils who first enter secondary school in 2014.

This means that the first cohort of students sitting the reduced-subject Junior Cert exam will do so in 2017.

The eight-subject limit will now be introduced as part of a wider Junior Cert reform which is due to be introduced on a phased basis in schools from 2014.

At the moment the bulk of those who sit the exams sit between nine and 10 exams but some take more.

Speaking yesterday Mr Quinn said there would be no obligation on schools to limit the number of subjects for students enrolling in 2012 or 2013 but that they could opt to do so if they wished.

“If schools can limit the number of exam subjects for students enrolling in next year or the year after, then I encourage them to do so. This will allow more time for literacy and numeracy and assist in the planning for the change that is coming anyway in 2014,” he said at the national conference of the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals of second level schools in Killarney.

The move to delay the introduction of the eight-subject exam has been welcomed by teachers’ unions. The general secretary of the Teachers Union of Ireland, Peter MacMenamin said that, in making this announcement Mr Quinn had avoided “chaos” in schools next year and would allow consultation to further investigate concerns with regard to the move.

“We must avoid a situation where students would not be in a position to select the subjects which they have the most interest or ability in for examination. This could lead to a diminution of performance from those deprived of examination in their areas of interest and ultimately, a skills deficit in the country,” he said.

ASTI general secretary Pat King welcomed the move. “It makes no sense whatsoever to implement, on its own, a single proposal which is inextricably linked to the overall proposals. We appreciate that the Minister listened to our concerns in this regard,” he said. “We welcome today’s announcement in so far as it addresses a very real concern expressed by teachers.

“We now ask that the Minister, in examining the NCCA proposals for Junior Cert reform, gives due consideration to the other significant concerns of teachers as identified by the ASTI,” he said.

Junior Cert eight subject limit put off for two years - Irish Examiner 21/10/11

Quinn delays eight subject Junior Cert plan - Irish Daily Mail 21/10/11 (excerpt)
The U-turn was welcomed by teaching unions. TUI general secretary Peter MacMenamin said: "Its introduction next year could have led to chaos in schools. Principals and teachers were at a complete loss as to how this may impact on school administration."

TUI: Junior Cert proposal could cause chaos - RTE 18/10/11

The Teachers' Union of Ireland has expressed concern at the potential impact of a Government proposal to limit the number of Junior Certificate exam subjects to eight for next year's first year students.

The TUI said the decision has caused consternation among teachers and principals.

The union said it could lead to a drop in student motivation and an increase in indiscipline in schools.

Under the proposal, students commencing second level in 2012 will only take eight subjects to examination level.

The Department of Education said this is to address subject 'overcrowding' and to free up more time to concentrate on core skills, such as literacy and numeracy.

However, the TUI said many classes could end up with a mix of students, some of whom are taking an examination and others who are not.

It said this will lead to clear de-motivation and discipline problems in the classroom.

The union said this will be greatly exacerbated in schools that have already been badly hit by a range of cutbacks.

The union also said many schools will be forced to drop subjects such as art, history, geography, technology and music as examination subjects.

Teachers say Junior Cert reform plans would do more harm than good - thejournal.ie 18/10/11

€400m may not cover student grants - Irish Examiner 13/10/11
Responding to reports that money paid to teachers for supervision and substitution could also be targeted, the Teachers’ Union of Ireland said such a move would be a pay cut and is not allowed under the Croke Park Agreement.

Under the deal guaranteeing no pay cuts in return for greater efficiency, second-level teachers who are paid extra for those duties are now timetabled for more supervision and substitution.

One in ten children miss class for 20 days - Evening Herald 12/10/11
And one of Ireland's largest teachers' unions has today warned that the figures show the education system is "taking its eye off the real issues".
All primary schools are obliged to report absences to the Department of Education in "specific circumstances" -- such as when pupils miss at least 20 days or where they are suspended for at least six school days.
But President of the Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) Bernie Ruane told the Herald that the issue of absences was "one of the most serious".
"We've found that one the big reasons for high absenteeism is the lack of year heads now in schools. Each school year at both primary and second level should have a year head.
"They play a vital role in ensuring children are motivated to go to school and also are integral in communicating regularly with parents.
"Of course, social problems have increased with the recession and for many children it is difficult to find a responsible adult or guardian. The bottom line is schools have a responsibility to motivate children and its that sense of motivation that keeps their attendance high."

Teachers' pay - Evening Echo 12/10/11
THE Teachers' Union of Ireland today warned that payments made to teachers for carrying out substitution and supervision duties in schools cannot be
removed as part of December's budget. The union, which represents second-level teachers in VEC schools and community and comprehensive schools, said this would be considered a pay cut.

Unemployed primary teachers can do probation through JobBridge - thejournal.ie 5/10/11
A spokesperson for the TUI also told TheJournal.ie this morning that the union “has not given its blessing” to the move. “The issue will be an agenda item at the union’s next executive committee meeting later in the month,” the spokesperson said.

RTE 1's Frontline programme, Monday 3/10/11
TUI President Bernie Ruane on panel debating the continued State subvention of fee-paying schools.

School Maths Alert - Irish Mirror 30/9/11
Teachers have warned maths will suffer if class sizes get any bigger, it was reported yesterday. They claimed schools have been hit with cutbacks which have a “disproportionate effect on the most vulnerable within the education system.”

Teachers’ Union of Ireland General Secretary Peter MacMenamin warned: “We already have a situation as a result of prior cutbacks where many schools are already mixing both higher and ordinary levels in a last effort to offer the subjects. A further increase in the pupil teacher ratio is a reduction in teacher numbers. In such a situation, many hard-pressed principals will be forced to drop options that cater for smaller numbers of students. In many cases, higher level maths fails into this category.”

Bernie Ruane interviewed on Junior Cert issues on FM104, Q102 and WLR.

One third of people teaching maths not qualified to do so - Irish Examiner (29/9/11)

Meanwhile, the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) said last night it has not signed up to proposals for replacement of the Junior Certificate.

The draft overhaul of the junior cycle put forward by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment includes a range of new assessments that would include some marking of student’s work by their own teachers.

TUI general secretary Peter MacMenamin said developing new courses and training of teachers will need significant investment that he believes will not be forthcoming.

Quinn faces battle over exam reform - Irish Independent (26/9/11)
Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI) general secretary Peter McMenamin gave a broad welcome to the development, but also questioned whether the necessary resources would be forthcoming.

While the TUI is not opposed to teachers assessing their own students, he said it retained the view that they should be paid for this function.

Number of courses puts pressure on students - Irish Examiner (22/9/11)

Teachers Union of Ireland general secretary designate John MacGabhann told the conference this could be done within the existing contracts of lecturers he represents in the institutes of technology.

However, he said some students could be restricted in their access to courses by proposals that more CAO points be given for Leaving Cert subjects linked to certain college courses.

"Many schools simply don’t have the broad range [of subjects] that is being assumed by the debate. [It raises] political questions about how resourcing is sent to schools."

TUI Deputy General Secretary and President interviewed on several regional radio stations regarding Junior Cert results 14/9/11

TUI claims findings are only of 'archaeological' relevance - Irish Times 14/9/11

THE OECD report has drawn a furious response from the Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI), which claims its “dated’’ findings are only of “archaeological’’ relevance.

It described elements of the report as being “beyond historic” in terms of its current relevance.

The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation said on average Irish teachers earn less than workers with similar education levels and years of experience in Ireland. Teachers in Ireland, it said, earned on average 88 per cent of the income of workers with similar education levels in Ireland.

While the report showed Irish teachers on average earning above Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development levels of salary, they do less well than similarly qualified graduates in Ireland, the INTO said. At primary level, the report shows Irish teachers teaching 20 per cent longer than the EU average.

The report shows how average spending per student at all levels of education relative to gross domestic product per capita is among the lowest of the OECD countries. Below-average figures at primary and third-level bring Irish spending well below the OECD average. At primary level, Ireland ranks 25th of 32 countries.

Overall spending on education was 5.6 per cent of GDP in 2008, up on the 2007 figure of 4.7 per cent, but still below the OECD average at 5.9 per cent in 2008.

Despite relative under-investment, more pupils complete second-level here than in other countries. In the 1960s, 48 per cent of students went on to finish second-level (the OECD average was 61 per cent). Today, 91 per cent finish second-level compared to 82 per cent across the OECD. Ireland is the third highest OECD country for school completion.

Ireland also recorded the second highest growth in students getting to college between 1999 and 2009. Third-level completion in Ireland is 48 per cent, well above the OECD average of 37 per cent, or EU21 at 34 per cent

Teachers report 'beyond historic' - Irish Examiner 14/9/11
IRISH teachers have criticised a report which says they are among the best paid in the world as "beyond historic".
The OECD report, Education at a Glance, says Irish primary school teachers are the second highest paid among 33 OECD countries, while secondary teachers are third or fourth highest paid.

According to the report, primary school teachers here earn an average of $60,355 compared with the OECD average of $38,914 and the EU average of $39,735.

"At primary level, Irish teachers are better paid in absolute terms than teachers in other countries. The relative position of primary level teachers, here, improves as they move from the minimum to the maximum of the pay scale. At secondary level, Irish teachers are also better paid than elsewhere," the report states.

However, the salary figures are based on data from 2008 pay levels and do not take into account public service pay cuts such as the pension levy of 7.5% and pay cuts of 6.5%.

Unions have hit out at the report, saying it gave a historic view of teacher pay.

Teachers’ Union of Ireland president Bernie Ruane said the report was "beyond historic" in terms of its current relevance.

However, she pointed out that key indicators, not based on economic factors, endorse the job being done by Irish teachers.

"The survey unambiguously highlights the large volume of work carried out by Irish teachers, with the number of teaching hours at second level (735) vastly exceeding the OECD average of 679. By way of local comparison, the figure for England is 714 hours," said Ms Ruane.

General secretary of the Irish National Teachers Organisation Sheila Nunan said: "At primary level, the report shows Irish teachers teaching 20% longer than the EU-21 average, the third highest of 31 countries. On average Irish teachers teach three additional pupils per class and Irish classes remain the second highest in the EU.

"In addition, Ireland’s spending on non-teaching staff in schools is significantly lower than the OECD average," she added.

Teachers here paid €15k above average - But unions insist figures fail to factor in 'meltdown' Irish Daily Mail 14/9/11
Teachers Union of Ireland president Bernie Ruane said: “The report lacks evidence on the impact of our economic meltdown on education spending. When indicators are based on economic factors, some comparisons are beyond historic due to the seismic changes that have occurred since the collation of the data.
“The information on teachers’ salaries was collated in 2009 and does not take into account the pension levy effective from the start of that year, the pay cut effective from January 1st 2010 and the further 14% pay reduction for new entrant teachers from January 1st of this year. In fact, take home pay for teachers is now 20% lower than it was in 2008."

Results come a week before changes ratified - Irish Examiner 14/9/11

Teachers’ Union of Ireland deputy general secretary Annette Dolan said it is vital that those who have come this far in their education be enabled to continue at school. She urged that programmes which help students who might otherwise drop out after Junior Certificate to stay at school be insulated from further cutbacks.

"We again appeal to the Department of Education to fill the position of national co-ordinator of the Leaving Certificate Applied programme, which was not filled after a retirement. For a miniscule saving, the department is negatively impacting on the aspirations of 7,000 students in the programme at a time when there has been a worrying drop-off in the number of students completing the two-year course," Ms Dolan said.

High failure rates in Junior Cert maths and languages - Irish Times 14/11
Last night, the Teachers’ Union of Ireland advised all students who receive their Junior Cert results today to stay on and complete a Leaving Cert programme.

Evening Herald 14/9/11
The Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) has encouraged all students
who received their results today to consider the importance of achieving their Leaving Cert given the current climate.
Spokeswoman Annette Dolan said: "It has never been more vital in the current climate."

Exam kids hailed but testing time for science - Irish Daily Mirror 14/9/11

The TUI encouraged all students who receive their results today to stay on and do their Leaving Cert. Spokeswoman Annette Dolan said: "It has never been more vital that all students seek to at least attain a Leaving Certificate as in the current climate they have little or no chance of entering the workforce without one."

TUI sets up helpline as retirement queries surge - Irish Independent 10/9/11

SO many secondary school teachers have been making enquiries regarding early retirement, the Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI) has had to set up a special helpline to deal with their queries.

Teachers’ Union of Ireland deputy general secretary Annette Dolan said it is vital that those who have come this far in their education be enabled to continue at school. She urged that programmes which help students who might otherwise drop out after Junior Certificate to stay at school be insulated from further cutbacks.

"We again appeal to the Department of Education to fill the position of national co-ordinator of the Leaving Certificate Applied programme, which was not filled after a retirement. For a miniscule saving, the department is negatively impacting on the aspirations of 7,000 students in the programme at a time when there has been a worrying drop-off in the number of students completing the two-year course," Ms Dolan said.

Higher failure rates in Junior Cert maths and languages - Irish Times 14/9/11

Peter McMenamin, general secretary of the TUI, said: "We have had hundreds of inquiries. I am presuming not all of these people will go for retirement, but if they did all go at once we would be in serious trouble."

Mr McMenamin said pre-retirement courses organised by unions had been booked out for months, with the change in pension entitlements from next February the main driving force for the exodus.

It is a similar situation in the university sector.

Mike Jennings of the Irish Federation of University Teachers said university HR departments were also experiencing a surge in inquiries about early retirement.

"There has been a big increase in the number of retirements in the past two years and we expect it to be even bigger next year," he said.

Mr Jennings said if a large number of third-level staff were to take early retirement, the courses would have to be slashed.

The Department of Education was unable to provide estimates for the number of teaching staff it expects to leave.

Yates' education comments contested - Irish Examiner 5/9/11

IVAN Yates makes several assertions (Opinion, September 1), some of which are completely false, some of which need to be put in a proper context, and some of which defy logic.

He states that teachers are allowed 21 days absence without certification. This is misleading nonsense. A teacher may not exceed seven sick days in a year without a medical certificate.

He wheels out OECD indicators which show Ireland in a bad light in terms of literacy and numeracy skills, yet neglects to mention that we languish 30th out of 33 OECD countries in terms of investment in education.

He says that 85% of the education budget is spent on payroll, but declines to put that in the context of us spending a shamefully lower proportion of our money on education than we did even in 1996. Back then, 19% of spending went on education compared to just 16% now. By comparison, health spending rose from 21% to 25% and social welfare from 22% to 36%. As Minister Quinn conceded at the MacGill Summer School, perhaps we need to debate on our low investment in the sector.

The figure of second level teachers working just 735 hours is also misleading. Although this most basic figure is well above the OECD average of 682 hours, independent research from Behaviour and Attitudes shows that second level teachers work an average of 46 hours per week when duties outside scheduled timetable hours are included. This equates to teachers working 1,536 hours, or over twice that referred to by Mr Yates. Teachers will also work an extra hour every week as part of the Croke Park Agreement at a time when many have had their hours cut and take home pay has been hit by up to 20%.

Primary teachers work 1,659 and 1,265 hours per week in the Netherlands and Britain, he contends. We would remind him that any week contains 168 hours. We suggest he should spend more time researching his articles.

Bernie Ruane
President, Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI)
Dublin 6

Struggle for parents to pay exclusive school fees - Sunday Independent 4/9/11

'While parents of some of the 26,000 students in fee-paying schools may grapple with fees averaging €5,000, almost 200,000 parents cannot afford to buy their children's school uniforms, according to the applications for the back-to-school allowance. "If people want to buy a private education, that's fine. But they must pay the full economic cost," said Peter McMenamin, of the Teachers' Union of Ireland.'

Unfair advantage? Sunday Times 4/9/11
Full page article on the issue of state subvention to fee paying schools - TUI extensively quoted

'Peter MacMenamin, general secretary of the Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI) argues that this 50% state funding is no longer tenable. "I believe parents should have freedom of choice," he said. "But not at taxpayers expense.
The TUI proposes that Ruairi Quinn, the education minister, should phase out funding to fee-paying schools, allowing them to adjust their business model. MacMenamin believes this years increase in enrolment figures is evidence that parents can afford to shoulder the full cost of their children's private education. "If you want a private educatoin, with all the perceived benefits, go ahead and pay for it," he said.

Up to 8,500 public servants to retire in coming months - Sunday Business Post 4/9/11

'Peter McMenamin, general secretary of the TUI, said that his union had received so many enquiries regarding early retirements that it set up a hotline to deal with the number of queries.'

Private schools: are they worth it? Irish Times 3/9/11

'Some see private schools as one of the last bastions of privilege in a more egalitarian, meritocratic society. The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) has even accused some fee-paying schools of “educational apartheid”. The union says State funding should be withdrawn from private schools that pick the best pupils and exclude immigrants and those with learning needs.'

President Bernie Ruane interviewed on RTE Radio 1's News At One regarding cuts to LCA programme - 1/9/11

Cut to Leaving Cert Applied criticised - Irish Times 1/9/11

IN THE latest education cutback, the Department of Education is not filling the vacant post of national co-ordinator of the Leaving Certificate Applied.

The move has been sharply criticised by the Teachers’ Union of Ireland, which said it may be motivated by “academic snobbery’’.

First examined in 1995, the Applied Leaving is designed for less academic pupils. It has been widely praised for its role in helping to keep students in school and preparing them for the workplace.

Almost 380 schools or centres provide the programme, but 30 schools dropped it this year after the removal of the preferential pupil-teacher ratio and some support grants.

Under the department’s move, one person will take overall responsibility for co-ordinating both the Leaving Certificate Applied and Transition Year programmes.

Last night, the department confirmed the plan. It said it proposed to continue to provide for service in the Leaving Certificate Applied area, with the co-ordination of activities taken over by other personnel.

Now not the right time for changes to Junior Cert - teacher union - Irish Independent 27/8/11

NOW is not the time for a radical overhaul of the Junior Certificate, teachers said yesterday.

They were responding to Education Minister Ruairi Quinn's plans to introduce continuous assessment to the system in what teachers said amounted to "sweeping educational reform".

For the third time in more than two decades, attempts are being made to change the way young students are tested in school which could result in written exams accounting for up to half of their Junior Cert marks.

If accepted, the first revised exam could take place in 2015. But even though the new proposals have yet to be finalised, the minister was bluntly told yesterday that given the cuts already beginning to bite, now was not the time to introduce such a measure.

The Teachers' Union of Ireland -- one of the two teacher unions whose agreement would be needed to make any new assessment system work -- urged the minister to hold off on any such proposals for the next one or two years.

"In the context of the current climate of education cuts, now is not the time for sweeping educational reform," union general secretary Peter MacMenamin said.

'Insulate'

He said it was time to "insulate" the core educational service to students, not move focus away from it. Unlike the main secondary union, the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (ASTI), the TUI does not have a difficulty with the concept of teachers assessing their own students.

Already about half of the TUI's 12,000 members were involved in assessing their own students for certification purposes at third level and in further education. But with cutbacks and threats to raise the pupil-teacher ratio as part of the next Budget, now was not the best time to introduce this new measure, said Mr MacMenamin.

ASTI, however, remains implacably opposed to its teachers assessing their own pupils. "We are in favour of Junior Cert reform but we have a policy that teachers do not assess their own students for state examinations and nothing has changed in relation to that," said a spokeswoman.

ASTI fears that assessment by students' own teachers would damage the student-teacher relationship and place them in a position of adjudicator rather than advocate of their students.

Teachers in the UK and elsewhere succesfully use a form of continuous assessment. But teachers here differ over aspects of continuous assessment, with some favouring assessment by other teachers instead of by themselves. Earlier this year, the minister acknowledged the social pressure teachers might face in assessing their own students. But officials believe there are ways around this.

'Leave those kids alone' - The Star 27/8/11
CASH-strapped schools have been so badly hit by cuts that they can
only provide a "skeletal education service" so now is not the time to
change the Junior Cert, a teachers' union warned yesterday.
The Teachers' Union of Ireland yesterday came out against implementing Junior Cert curriculum
changes as a way of slashing budgets unless it is done for education.

Teachers' union opposes Junior Cert reforms - Irish Examiner 27/8/11

"It is a time to insulate the core educational service to students, not move focus away from it," said TUI general secretary Peter MacMenamin.

"Teachers have always shown a commitment to positive reform, but any change should be for sound educational reasons and not as a way of securing more savings within the sector."

In its submission to the NCCA consultation on junior cycle reform, the TUI expressed concern that the reform agenda initiated by former minister Batt O’Keeffe in 2009 was driven by political efforts to cut examination costs.

Mr MacMenamin said a skeletal education service is all that remains in many of the schools worst affected by cutbacks, while there are fears that Mr Quinn may cut staffing further by increasing the pupil-teacher ratio from next autumn in the 2012 budget.

Click link above to read full article

Publishers should cut cost of school books, says TUI - Irish Examiner 25/8/11

Bernie Ruane also interviewed on CAO options for students on 98FM, Q102, FM104, 4FM and Midwest Radio.

19,200 CAO applicants still waiting for offers - Irish Examiner 22/8/11
Teachers’ Union of Ireland president Bernie Ruane said that while there is still a chance for many of those left disappointed today, anyone offered a place should treat it as the only offer they will get because there is no guarantee of any more courses being offered.

'Irish not spoken here' - TUI President Bernie Ruane interviewed and quoted in Sunday Times article on the Irish language and the Leaving Cert 21/8/11

TUI President Bernie Ruane refutes 'dated' findings of CSO report on earnings of those working in education - Today FM and Newstalk 19/8/11

Third level bosses seek to reform system - Irish Examiner 18/8/11

The Teachers’ Union of Ireland said its members are open to reforms but change must be properly resourced if it is to be effective, and should not be done as a shortsighted knee-jerk reaction or just to make savings.

Drop in students taking vital subjects due to budget cuts - Irish Independent 18/8/11

President of the Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI), Bernie Ruane, said this year's results illustrate the real effects of education cutbacks.

"We are gravely concerned by the fall in the number of students completing the LCA programme and also the fall in the number of distinctions and merits achieved in it this year.

Grants paid to schools who provide the Applied programme were cut in 2009, the same year in which pupil-teacher ratios were increased.

Ms Ruane said it was "no coincidence" that students on the two-year course were coming out with lower grades given the attack on resources.

"This is a clear illustration of the damage that education cuts wreak on the most vulnerable students," she added.

TUI President Bernie Ruane interviewed live on RTE's Drivetime programme re Leaving Cert issues including effect of cuts on Leaving Cert Applied programme 17/8/11

Drop in standards at applied level a result of cutbacks - Irish Examiner 17/8/11

Teachers’ Union of Ireland president Bernie Ruane said it is no coincidence that resources for such students were attacked during the two-year programme.

"The attack on the pupil-teacher ratio and grants for this programme represented a new low in terms of targeting the most vulnerable in our education system, and the results illustrate the real effects of education cutbacks."

Ibec calls for major overhaul of Leaving Cert - Irish Times 17/8/11
President of the Teachers’ Union of Ireland Bernie Ruane also congratulated students on their results but expressed concern that moves to increase the pupil-teacher ratio will damage the subject areas the country should be looking to promote.

Peter MacMenamin interviewed on Newstalk 106's Lunchtime programme in relation to allowances payable to those correcting and supervising State Examinations 10/8/11

Bigger classes may reduce subject choice - Sunday Business Post 7/8/11

(TUI) has already indicated that it would be campaigning strongly against any such proposals, saying it was a retrograde step. Its deputy general secretary Annette Dolan said that ultimately the students would lose out.
'If you increase the pupil teacher ratio even by one, that is not just putting one extra student in the class. What it is doing is cutting the range of subject options, making class sizes bigger, giving less focus and attention to weaker students in the classroom," she said.

Read it and weep: the school book industry is a rip-off – Sunday Times 7/8/11
Bernie Ruane, the president of the Teachers’ Union of Ireland, accused school book publishers last year of ‘sharp practice’ in producing unnecessary and frequent new editions, rendering older books obsolete.

Teachers reject pay cut despite class size fears – Sunday Times 7/8/11
Annette Dolan, deputy general secretary of the TUI, said it had not made a submission because it didn’t believe any more cuts could be made.
“Teachers have already taken pay cuts of up to 20% they can’t take any more,” she said. “Also, we’re tied into the Croke Park agreement, so pay is not an issue. We have been highlighting the €100m the department is giving to private fee-paying schools. If they’re looking for savings, that’s where they should start.”

Class sizes may rise – Sunday Times 7/8/11
Annette Dolan, deputy general secretary, TUI described the move as a ‘retrograde step’. “If you increase the pupil teacher ratio even by one, that is not putting an extra student in the class, what it is doing is cutting the range of subject options, making class sizes bigger and giving less focus and attention to weaker students in the classroom.”

TUI deputy general secretary Annette Dolan interviewed re educaiton cutbacks on Newstalk's Global Village programme 6/8/11

TUI representatives were also interviewed on all national and several regional radio bulletins on the issue. TUI deputy general secretary Annette Dolan interviewed on RTE Radio 1's Drivetime. TUI position also mentioned on all RTE TV news bulletins.

Teachers angered by threat of increasd class sizes - Irish Examiner 5/8/11

Quinn urged to focus on teacher numbers and abandon exam reform - Irish Times 5/8/11

Subjects facing chop if class sizes rise - Irish Independent 5/8/11

The Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) spoke
out, saying the move would wreak "irreparable
damage" on the system. TUI deputy general secretary Annette Dolan said: "Ultimately it's the students that lose out." - The Star 5/8/11

Peter MacMenamin, general secretary of the TUI, said subjects such as physics and maths - which have been highlighted by the Government as priorities - would be hardest hit by the changes.
Mr MacMenamin said: "The Government is paying lip service to the interests of children. It's an appalling decision. This is about the fourth round of cuts in this crisis and on each and every occasion, we have said, and the parents have said, stop cutting the education of children. In an ecomomic crisis, it is always advised not to cut education. This type of decision is making the situation worse." - 'Fury at plan to make school classes bigger' - Daily Irish Mail 5/8/11

Writing on the wall for school book reprints - Sunday Times 31/7/11
Publishers of school books have offered to drop the practice of repeatedly publishing new editions of popular classroom texts.
Annette Dolan, deputy general secretary of the Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI) said: "We certainly welcome this if they are not going to bring out a new edition unless there's a change in the curriculum. There is no need to change a book unless the curriculum changes dramatically."

Get rid of burnt-out teachers, says Quinn - Irish Daily Mail 29/7/11
TUI has called on the minister to reinstate an early retirement scheme that was frozen in the 2009 budget. Peter MacMenamin, general secretary of the Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI) said there was an easy way to solve the problem. 'This gave teachers the necessary option to end their career with dignity as they chose,' he said.
Mr MacMenamin said Mr Quinn should consider offering teachers a retirement scheme similar to the ones available in other parts of the public service.
'He might examine the options available to the gardai and to psychiatric nurses to retire at a younger age. The present proposals are for later retirement, which will worsen the situation,' he said.

New agency Solas welcomed by unions - Irish Times 28/7/11

"The Teachers Union of Ireland, which which represents teachers in vocational education committees and lecturers in institutes of technology, welcomed the establishment of Solas as the new State training agency.

TUI deputy general secretary Annette Dolan said: “This announcement comes at a critical time for education and training in the country. We welcome the Minister’s affirmation that VECs will be ultimately responsible for the delivery to the public of both further education and training services. This proven sector is ideally placed to develop the balanced skill set that the country urgently requires with a wide range of high quality and fully accredited courses.”"

TUI's welcome of Solas also covered by RTE

Will Quinn impose sanctions to stop 'apartheid' in schools? - Irish Times 26/7/11

Continuous assessments on cards for Junior Cert students - Irish Independent 12/7/11

Bigger classes on the way as student numbers begin to soar - Irish Independent 28/6/11

"Teachers' Union of Ireland general secretary Peter MacMenamin said any further cuts would have devastating consequences, particularly for the most vulnerable and marginalised students."

Teachers face on-the-spot tests in surprise school inspections - Irish Independent 16/6/11

Teacher unions may oppose inspections plan - Irish Examiner 16/6/11

Parents deserve to know their children get treated fairly – Irish Examiner analysis, Niall Murray 14/6/11

However, the Teachers’ Union of Ireland, whose second-level members work mostly in vocational schools, repeated its assertion of selective enrolments, claiming the department’s inaction has facilitated some schools in flouting education and equality law. “In too many cases where a school is not full, refusals to enrol students are made for spurious reasons where the pupil would not present any health and safety danger to the existing school community,” said Peter MacMenamin, TUI general secretary.

Schools face losing control of enrolment in radical new plans - Irish Independent 14/6/11

Department proposes school enrolment changes - RTE 13/6/11

TUI subject representatives providing daily analysis for national media throughout State Examinations.

Peter MacMenamin interviewed on RTE Radio 1's This Week programme regarding the continued funding of capital projects in fee paying schools - 15/5/11

Peter MacMenamin interviewed on RTE Radio 1's Morning Ireland programme regarding the reskilling/education provisions in Government's jobs initiative announcement 11/5/11

Why Brian Mooney is wrong on fee-paying schools and the TUI - Irish Times opinion editorial by President Bernie Ruane 10/5/11

Annual Congress 2011
TUI’s positions on the future of the Croke Park Agreement, the inequitable double funding of fee-paying schools and the savage cuts to the terms and conditions of new entrant teachers and lecturers were among the issues that received extensive coverage in the run-up to, during and after Congress.
TUI representatives were interviewed by RTE Radio 1’s Morning Ireland, Today With Pat Kenny, Drivetime and all major news bulletins and various other Today FM, Newstalk, 4FM and regional current affairs and news programmes. The conference received extensive coverage on RTE’s television news bulletins with RTE cameras present at the event on all three days.
Prior to the conference, the union highlighted the challenges due to the impending increase in student numbers, the selective enrolment procedures promoted in some schools and the findings of a survey carried out among the public which shows appreciation for the increasingly difficult job of teachers.
Other areas which received attention included TUI’s vision for the apprenticeship system, survey carried out among school principals on the effects of the cutbacks and a call for fairer protocols around the production of school books.

TUI General Secretary outlines key issues to be discussed at this week's Congress on RTE Radio 1's Morning Ireland 26/4/11

RTE Radio 1 news bulletins mention TUI's warning that further cuts will damage any chance of economic recovery 26/4/11

General Secretary interviewed on Newstalk's Breakfast Show 26/4/11

TUI General Secretary interviewed on 4FM morning news 26/4/11

TUI urges revamp to apprenticeship system - Irish Examiner 26/4/11

Quinn rules out reversal on cutbacks - Irish Examiner 25/4/11

Teaching 'more difficult in past 10 years' - Irish Independent 25/4/11

It's 'tougher than ever' to be a teacher - The Star 25/4/11 Extensive article on Behaviour & Attitudes survey commissioned by TUI

TUI General Secretary interviewed on RTE 1's Six and Nine news bulletins ahead of TUI's annual Congress 24/4/11

Teachers 'living in poverty' - Sunday Business Post 24/4/11

Pay to top the agenda at annual teacher meetings - Sunday Business Post 24/4/11

Fee-paying schools engaged in 'apartheid' - Irish Times 23/4/11

Numbers in secondary school to grow by 20% - Irish Times 22/4/11

Story also covered in Irish Star and Irish Mirror

Peter MacMenamin speaks about challenges facing education system in face of rising student numbers on RTE's Drivetime programme 21/4/11

Deputy General Secretary Annette Dolan interviewed on TG4's 7 Lá programme 21/4/11

RTE Radio 1's Morning Ireland news bulletins note TUI being 'gravely concerned' at resource staff restrictions in second level schools. 14/4/11

Delay in support for pupils with learning difficulties - Irish Examiner 1/4/11

TUI general secretary outlines reasoning behind members' decision to endorse Public Service Agreement - RTE Radio 1's Drivetime 24/3/11

TUI backs Croke Park - second ballot endorses deal - Irish Times 24/3/11

Second-level class sizes hit by cutbacks - Sunday Times 13/3/11

Declan Glynn, the assistant general secretary of the Teachers’ Union of Ireland said an increase in ratio can have a detrimental effect on education. “When you disimprove the ratio, class sizes automatically increase or else you have to reduce tuition time or reduce the number of subject options,” he said. “Specialist subjects such as physics come under threat because schools find it difficult to justify staffing for smaller classes, even though these are the very subjects we need taught for economic recovery.”

Quinn has no plans to stop funds for fee-paying schools - Irish Independent 11/3/11

The Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) has repeatedly called for the withdrawal of State support for the fee-paying sector. TUI demands for the payment of teachers’ salaries to cease become sharper in light of budgetary cutbacks in education in recent years. Union general secretary Peter MacMenamin has queried how the continued funding could be justified when supports for disadvantaged pupils are being withdrawn. Mr MacMenamin said yesterday: “We would find it unconscionable that any Government would further cut services to the most disadvantaged in schools while continuing to fund privilege.”

Teachers to vote again on deal - Irish Times 5/3/11

Teachers still to give verdict on Croke Park deal - Irish Independent 3/3/11

TUI fury over FG plan to publish exam results - Irish Independent 2/3/11

TUI defends right to highlight party policy positions - letter sent to Irish Independent 21/2/11

Unions slammed for interference - Sunday Independent front page 20/2/11

It's war as Fine Gael faces wrath of the unions - Evening Herald 19/2/11

Fine Gael and Labour at war over union vote - Irish Independent front page 19/2/11

TUI chief warns of 'serious' FG threat - Irish Examiner 19/2/11

Education and the general election - letter by Peter MacMenamin published in Irish Times 18/2/11

SF just keeps saying yes to teachers - Irish Independent 17/2/11

Teachers unions angered by Fine Gael plan to publish Leaving results - Irish Independent 15/2/11
Teachers' Union of Ireland general secretary Peter MacMenamin said self-evaluation was an unknown and complex conceptand could easily end up with the teacher spending increasing amounts of time evaluating rather than teaching. He warned that resources in the preparation of the annual reports would eat into valuable school resources.

Coughlan blasted over appointment - Irish Independent 11/2/11

Fixing the education system - TUI President Bernie Ruane responds to Ed Walsh's 'provocative and flawed' criticisms - Irish Times 7/2/11

TUI delays work reform vote until after election - Irish Examiner 31/1/11

Teacher unions to hold second ballot on reform deal - Irish Times 24/1/11

Fee paying schools get €100m from State - Irish Times 17/1/11

'Give me a crash course in....new school admission policies' - Irish Times 15/1/11

Lecturers warn over college reforms - Irish Examiner 13/1/11

Report delay shows lack of urgency - Irish Times 12/1/11

Student fees system recommended in new plan - RTE 11/1/11

TUI position of Hunt report being 'confused and underdeveloped' mentioned on RTE Radio news bulletins.

Schools facing ban on holding places for past pupils' children - Irish Independent 11/1/11
The forthcoming changes are a follow-up to an audit of enrolment policies published in 2007 which found a very uneven distribution of special
needs pupils. This led to charges of 'cherry picking'.
In its submission, the Teachers' Union of Ireland called for financial penalties on schools if they did not take their fair share of pupils with special
needs.

Academics to face strict penalties - Irish Independent 6/1/11

Tens of millions wasted on sites for schools never built - Irish Independent 20/12/10
Teachers' unions said the lack of progress on school sites was
"inexplicable".
"It is inexcusable that children and teachers are enduring sub-standard schools while sites are available for modern buildings. This is inexplicable."
TUI general secretary Peter MacMenamin said that the situation
was a "further indictment of flawed policy and planning.

Army urged to wage war on obesity in youngsters - Irish Independent 16/12/10

TUI Deputy General Secretary Annette Dolan calls for abolition of FAS in current form - RTE Six One News 10/12/10

Results black mark for our system says Quinn - Irish Times 8/12/10
Reaction to OECD report also covered in Irish Examiner

Reading, maths skills of Irish students show alarming fall - Irish Independent 8/12/10

TUI Deputy General Secretary Annette Dolan gives Budget reaction to Newstalk, Q102, FM104, 98FM and TG4 7/12/10

Schools will not make up lost days says department - Irish Times 3/12/10

Basic student skills going into third level questioned - Irish Times 3/12/10

50,000 turn out to oppose austerity in central Dublin - Sunday Business Post 28/11/10

RTE Radio 1 Saturday View 27/11/10 - TUI member interviewed at rally
RTE Six and Nine television news 27/11/10 - TUI member interviewed

Unions: Most vulnerable students will suffer - Irish Examiner 27/11/10
Low paid workers in education to have salaries cut - Irish Times 27/11/10 Also covered in Irish Independent

Freeze on permanent teaching jobs - RTE 26/11/10

Fees will force students out of education and out of the country - Irish Examiner 25/11/10 Also covered in Evening Echo and Daily Mirror

RTE website - TUI's initial reaction to four year plan

Clip of TUI Deputy General Secretary Annette Dolan at public meeting on proposed changes to pension provision for new teachers played on RTE Radio 1's Morning Ireland 24/11/10

TUI comment on feeder schools lists - Irish Daily Mail, 19/11/10
"TUI believes that a school’s mission is considerably more expansive and generous than this. If third level access rates were the only indicator of the success or otherwise of a school, the meaning of education would be severely distorted."

Parents buying their children's school success, figures show - Irish Independent 18/11/10

Full page article on PLC courses - quotes TUI research - Evening Herald 16/11/11

Only 5% of school vacancies filled - Irish Examiner 11/11/10

RTE's Morning Ireland clarifies TUI situation re: Croke Park Agreement after incorrect Kieran Mulvey statement on previous show 11/11/10

Schools fear €100m teachers salary subsidy will be next - Irish Independent 8/11/10

Trident report on pensions covered in Sunday Business Post - 7/11/10

Teachers' union suspends industrial action - Irish Independent 6/11/10

TUI to enter Croke Park deal after action vote - Irish Examiner 6/11/10

ICTU to stage national protest on economic crisis - Irish Examiner 5/11/10
Article also highlights teacher unions' pensions campaign

Peter MacMenamain discusses Trident pensions report on Today FM's Matt Cooper show

Greens set to support fees of up to €2,500 - Irish Times 2/11/10

'What do lecturers really do all week?' - Sunday Times 31/10/10
TUI General Secretary Peter MacMenamin highlights high workloads of IoT lecturers

Couglan asks schools to stop hiring retired teachers - Irish Independent 30/10/10

Green TD warns of severe cuts to education - Irish Examiner 22/10/10

It's time to celebrate the brave return of early school leavers - Irish Independent 20/10/10

No scope for redundancies at largest institutes - Irish Examiner 19/10/10

Threat of redundancy prompts fresh ballot on pay deal - Irish Times 16/10/10

U-turn as teachers vote on joining pay talks - Irish Independent 16/10/10

TUI set to ballot on industrial action - Irish Examiner 16/10/10

Peter MacMenamin also interviewed on RTE TV news, Assistant General Secretary John MacGabhann interviewed on Today FM news and Today FM's Last Word programme - 15/10/10

TUI General Secretary Peter MacMenamin speaks in relation to TUI members in Institutes of Technology on RTE Radio 1's Morning Ireland - 15/10/10

Workloads in Institutes of Technology - Irish Times 30/9/10

RTE News At One -Interview with TUI General Secretary Peter MacMenamin in relation to special conference - 27/9/10

Union votes to prolong action - Irish Independent 27/9/10

Prospect of school disruption as TUI votes to continue industrial action - Irish Times 27/9/10

Teachers refuse to end industiral action - Sunday Independent 27/9/10

Strong demand sees sharp rise in number of PLC applicants - Irish Examiner 15/9/10

RTE One news report on TUI survey - RTE 14/9/10
Also featured on 6 and 9 bulletins

TUI: Thousands missing out on PLC courses - breakingnews.ie 14/9/10
Surge in PLC course applicants - Irish Times 14/9/10
Sharp rise in people seeking PLC courses - RTE 14/9/10

TUI Deputy General Secretary Annette Dolan outlines findings of TUI survey on demand for PLC courses - Morning Ireland, Radio 1 14/9/10

Ireland in education relegation zone - Irish Examiner 8/9/10

We're bottom of the class for education spending - Irish Independent 8/9/10

Education must be well funded - Irish Independent Editorial 8/9/10

Peter MacMenamin interviewed on Newstalk Lunchtime programme on FAS issues. 8/9/10

Irish education spending at height of boom was fourth lowest in OECD - Irish Times 8/9/10

OECD highlights poor Irish education spending - RTE 7/9/10

TUI position re: FAS mentioned on Radio 1's Drivetime programme 7/9/10

Ireland bottom of schoolbooks league - Irish Examiner 4/9/10

Parents turn to credit unions for school bills help - Sunday Independent 29/8/10

Schoolbook publishers accused of 'sharp practice' over new editions - Irish Times 27/8/10

TUI calls for protocols to regulate new editions of books - Irish Examiner 26/8/10

TUI President Bernie Ruane on RTE's Morning Ireland discussing TUI call for more protocols for school book publishers 26/8/10
TUI President and TUI education and research officer also interviewed on several local radio stations on same issue.

Call for 'responsibility' from textbook publishers - breakingnews.ie 24/8/10
School leavers feel squeeze from mature students - Irish Examiner 23/8/10 (TUI advice also covered in Irish Times CAO supplement)
160,000 seeking help with school costs - Sunday Independent 22/8/10
Teacher union warns of chaos over failure to fill posts - Irish Times 21/8/10

Thoughts turn to CAO offers - Irish Examiner 18/8/10 (TUI advice also covered in Irish Times supplement)
Coughlan eases promotion ban but union warns of school chaos in September - Irish Times 6/7/10
Coughlan to allow a number of vacant teaching posts to be filled - Irish Examiner 6/7/10
Cautious welcome to easing of school posts ban - Irish Independent 6/7/10
TUI position mentioned on RTE television's Six One and Nine bulletins 5/7/10
TUI Deputy General Secretary Annette Dolan was interviewed on RTE's Morning Ireland on this issue on 6/7/10

Fury as fee-paying schools get extra €1m in government grants - Irish Independent 10/5/10

TUI says clarification does not offer even a morsel of comfor to teachers - Irish Times 8/5/10

All to play for as Croke Park agreement receives boost - Irish Examiner 8/5/10

Department says deal with not affect teacher holidays - Irish Times 6/5/10

Teacher unions to vote on public sector deal - Irish Independent 4/5/10

Why proposals are a bridge too far - interview with Peter MacMenamin on RTE Radio 1's This Week programme, 25/4/10

Tyranny of the majority cannot be allowed rule - Irish Times opinion editorial by TUI General Secretary Peter MacMenamin 15/4/10

TUI policies and positions received extensive coverage in the print and broadcast media over the course of the union's annual conference, including Primetime, all television news broadcasts, all radio news bulletins and all broadcast and tabloid newspapers. Full details available on request from TUI head office.
Issues covered included the union's strong recommendation against the new Croke Park proposals, the importance of lifting the cap on PLC numbers, the increase in discipline problems and the effects of education cutbacks in third level colleges. An opinion editorial by Peter MacMenamin in the Irish Times also shattered the myths that all teachers are permanent, in secure employment and on full hours.

TUI says 46% of teachers aware of racist incident in past month - Irish Times 5/4/10
Racism on the rise among teenage pupils - Irish Independent 5/4/10
Schools and colleges 'ill-equipped' to deal with rise in racism incidents - Irish Examiner 5/4/10
TUI General Secretary appeared on Radio 1's Morning Ireland

TUI General Secretary appeared on RTE's Six One news. 4/4/10

Teachers working 46 hours a week - Irish Times 2/4/10
Teachers do 24 hours of extra work each week - Irish Independent 2/4/10
Educators are not getting the credit they deserve - Irish Independent 2/4/10
Half of teachers work outside the classroom - Irish Examiner 2/4/10

Teacher union split on reform deal - Irish Times 1/4/10
Pay deal at risk after TUI rejects proposals - Irish Examiner 1/4/10
Teaching unions split on pay proposals - Irish Independent 1/4/10
TUI General Secretary Peter MacMenamin appeared on RTE 1's 9 news on 31/3/10 and on RTE Radio 1's Morning Ireland 1/4/10 and on Today FM's The Last Word 1/4/10
TUI Deputy General Secretary Annette Dolan appeared on TV3's Midday programme 1/4/10
TUI General Secretary and President appeared on several national and local radio news programmes and bulletins.

Coughlan move won't ease her political problems - Irish Examiner 24/3/10
Responsibility for Fas divided between three departments - Irish Times 24/3/10
No tears are shed as lamentable Coughlan gently demoted - Irish Independent 24/3/10

TUI Deputy General Secretary Annette Dolan appeared on TV3's Tonight With Vincent Browne to discuss trade union issues and the damage done to the education system by cutbacks 11/3/10

Flying colours or whitewash?
TUI executive committee member Gerry Quinn contributes to debate on grade inflation - Sunday Tribune 7/3/10

TUI criticises further attack on LCA - Irish Times 2/3/10
Union position also covered in Irish Mirror

Union action could close some schools - Irish Times 24/2/10
TUI position also reported in Irish Examiner and Irish Daily Mail

TUI General Secretary Peter MacMenamin outlines effects of moratorium on appointments to middle management posts in schools - Today with Pat Kenny, Radio 1, 23/2/10
Also interviewed on Newstalk
Teachers told to stop retirement cover - irishtimes.com 23/2/10
Unions block cover for retried teachers - RTE

Teachers learn a tough lesson - Sunday Business Post 14/2/10

Profile of Ballyfermot College of Further Education, including TUI research on numbers applying for PLC courses - Morning Ireland, Radio 1, 11/2/10

Oscar nominations: TUI highlights role PLC colleges can play - Irish Times 9/2/10

Unions meet to review campaign - covered in Irish Times, Irish Examiner and Irish Independent 26/1/10

Promotions ban hurting vulnerable students, says union - Irish Times 20/1/10
Statement also covered in Irish Independent and Irish Examiner.

TUI advises teachers on time lost due to snow days - Peter MacMenamin on Morning Ireland, RTE Radio 1

Teachers should not make up lost hours outside class - Sunday Tribune 17/1/10

Schools may face further disruption in new year - Irish Times 21/12/09

Teachers likely to stall Junior Cert reform - Irish Times 18/12/09

Trade unions plan various forms of action over pay cuts - Irish Times 12/12/09

Teachers plan work-to-rule over cutbacks - Irish Independent 12/12/09

Threat of teachers' strike over budget - RTE Six One News

Discussions on school reform are over, unions tell O' Keeffe - Irish Independent 11/12/09

Union general secretary featured on RTE Radio 1's Drivetime and Newstalk's Right Hook programmes 10/12/09

TUI budget reaction covered in Irish Examiner, Irish Times, Irish Independent, Star and Irish Mirror. Peter MacMenamin also appeared on RTE's 9 o' clock television news

Reforms are off the table, says union - Irish Examiner 9/12/09

Audit finds schools are using restrictive admissions policies - Irish Times 8/12/09
Fee paying schools less likely to cater for special needs - Irish Times 8/12/09

Industrial action now inevitable, union warns - Irish Times 5/12/09
Teacher unions say state lacked courage - Irish Examiner 5/12/09
Threats of more strikes as 'partnership is dead' - Irish Independent 5/12/09

Peter MacMenamin interviewed on current discussions on RTE television's One News and on TV3's 5.30 bulletin 2/12/09

TUI General Secretary Peter MacMenamin on Radio 1's Morning Ireland speaking on decision to defer strike and current talks with Government 2/12/09

Concern over possible cap on third level student numbers - Irish Times 1/12/09
Union President Don Ryan also outlined union's concerns on 4FM's Lunchtime on 4 programme

Picketing TUI members were interviewed on Radio 1's Morning Ireland on 24/11/09. TUI members also featured on RTE 1's 6 and 9 o' clock news bulletins, along with an interview with TUI General Secretary Peter MacMenamin. TV3 interviewed TUI Assistant General Secretary John O' Reilly.
TUI picketers and comment also featured in Irish Examiner, Irish Times and Irish Independent on 25/11/09.

Teachers vote by huge majority to join public sector strike - Irish Times (14/11/09)
Parents face chaos in school closure - Irish Examiner (14/11/09)
800,000 pupils face discuption if teachers walk out - Irish Independent (14/11/09)
TUI General Secretary Peter MacMenamin appeared on RTE 1's 6 o' clock and 9 o' clock news bulletins and on RTE Radio 1's Drivetime and Today FM's Last Word programmes. Union president Don Ryan spoke on Tom McGurk's programme on 4FM.

Statement on importance of appropriate funding at third level covered by Newstalk and Irish Star (12/11/09)

RTE Radio 1's This Week programme (8/11/09)
Reporter Jonathon Clynch talks to teachers before and during ICTU protest.

This is a class war, workers unite to tell the government - Irish Independent (7/11/09)

Ahead of protest, TUI General Secretary discusses hardship being experienced by part-time teachers on 4FM's lunchtime show (6/11/09)

TUI General Secretary Peter MacMenamin speaks to RTE Radio 1's Drivetime programme about the union's policy on changes to the Junior Certificate programme. Click here to download programme (2/11/09)
The union's policy was also covered in the Irish Examiner and Irish Mirror and TUI representatives were interviewed on Q102 and 4FM.
Teacher union chief warns against proposal to end Junior Cert - BreakingNews.ie

TUI General Secretary Peter MacMenamin interviewed about partnership talks on RTE Radio 1's News at One (21/10/09)

Education=Health
TUI President Don Ryan argues that policymakers unimpressed by the educational and social arguments against cutbacks to education cannot ignore the compelling correlation between education and living longer - Irish Times Health supplement (20/10/09)

Aptitude tests for entry to university criticised - Irish Independent (19/10/09)
Test for entry to medicine degree is barrier for poor - Irish Examiner (19/10/09)

Student numbers to rise by 30% over 20 years - Irish Times (17/10/09)
Rate of school 'drop out to soar if funds denied' - Irish Examiner (17/10/09)
Schools face drop-out crisis threat - Irish Independent (17/10/09)
TUI warns against education cuts - RTE
TUI: Investment vital to cope with rising student numbers - breakingnews.ie
Conference was also featured in Sunday Times, Sunday Tribune and RTE, Today FM, Newstalk and all major regional radio news bulletins.

Teachers welcome education measures - Irish Times (12/10/09)

Teacher unions call for full reveral of cutbacks - Sunday Business Post (11/10/09)

Further cuts likely to trigger industrial action by TUI - Irish Examiner (10/10/09)
Teachers to vote on action against cuts - Irish Independent (10/10/09)
Three teacher unions to hold ballot for strikes - Irish Times (10/10/09)

Minister to pay for classroom laptops with building funds - Irish Independent (9/10/09)

TUI President Don Ryan speaks of his 'astonishment' at the Department of Education and Science's captial budget surplus on RTE Radio 1's Drivetime (8/10/09) Click here to listen

CSO lowers public versus private pay gap - Irish Examiner (2/10/09)

TUI Assistant General Secretary John MacGabhann spoke on RTE Radio 1's Drivetime programme about current TUI directives (29/9/09) Click here to listen

Teachers angry over department workload figures - Irish Times (29/9/09)

O Keeffe: I got my sums wrong on teaching cuts - Irish Independent (19/9/09)

Irish spend on education lowest in EU - Irish Independent (9/9/09)
Junior Cert students urged to stay in education - Irish Examiner (9/9/09)
Education spending worse than suggested - Irish Examiner (9/9/09)
Irish classes among largest in Europe - Irish Times (9/9/09)

Nearly 30,000 do not get place on Post-Leaving Cert courses - Irish Times (3/9/09)
School-leavers, jobless lead scrambe for courses - Irish Independent (3/9/09)
Two thirds disappointed after cap on PLC courses - Irish Examiner (3/9/09)
TUI President Don Ryan appeared on RTE's television news in relation to PLC numbers.

Cuts widen the gap between rich and poor - Irish Independent (2/9/09)
Opinion editorial by TUI General Secretary Peter MacMenamin

Anger at cut in language teachers - Irish Independent (1/9/09)

TUI representatives featured on RTE radio news, the Pat Kenny Show, the Last Word, Today FM, Newstalk, 4fm, RTE and TV3 TV and regional news bulletins clarifying the union's class size directive to members. This long standing directive is crucial in maintaining educational quality and is also vital in ensuring health and safety in the classroom. (28/8/09)

Students set to suffer due to cutbacks - Irish Examiner (27/8/09)
School principals face difficulties due to cutbacks - Irish Times (27/8/09)
School book bills continue to put extreme pressure on families - Irish Examiner (27/8/09)
Students facing loss of key subjects - Irish Independent (27/8/09)
The TUI/PDA position also featured in the Daily Star, Daily Mail and on RTE, Today FM, Newstalk and various regional news broadcasts.

Costly return to schoolrooms - Irish Independent (26/8/09)
O' Keeffe rounds on teachers in book grant row - Irish Independent (26/8/09)

Teachers urged to help cut cost of school textbooks - Irish Times (25/8/09)

Colleges facing chaos as axe hangs over 750 posts - Irish Independent (21/8/09)

TUI General Secretary Peter MacMenamin on RTE News re: possibility of return of college fees (20/8/09)

Almost 47,000 applicants ordered a college place - Irish Examiner (17/8/09)
Science steps out of the shadows - Irish Times CAO supplement (17/8/09)

End of 'grade inflation' as fewer students get top marks - Irish Independent (12/8/09)
Students urged into technology - Irish Times Leaving cert supplement (12/8/09)
Sharp rise in teachers applying for retirement - Irish Times (12/8/09)

Department manages to make a bad siutation look even worse - Irish Times (8/8/09)
TUI accused of being 'alarmist' over teacher losses - Irish Times (8/8/09)
War of words deepens over new loss of teaching posts - Irish Examiner (8/8/09)
O' Keeffe angry at teacher cut claims by TUI - Irish Independent (8/8/09)

Thousands of teachers face axe as cuts bite - Irish Independent (7/8/09)
Over 3,500 teachers to lose posts, claims TUI - Irish Times (7/8/09)
Teachers say O' Keeffe's predictions on effects of cutbacks unrealistic - Irish Examiner (7/8/09)
Schoolyard battle brews as first day of term looms - Irish Independent (7/8/09)

TUI General Secretary Peter MacMenamin on RTE Radio 1's Morning Ireland on the Comptroller and Auditor General's report on Institute of Technology lecturing hours.
(30/7/09)

Proposed cuts criticised by TUI - Irish Times (22/7/09)
Statement also covered in Irish Examiner, Irish Mirror and Evening Echo.

Plan for new DIT site in Tallaght shot down by TUI - Irish Independent (18/7/09)
Teachers, Lowry condemn proposals for Institutes - Irish Times (18/7/09)
Schools should not be shut down just to save money - Irish Examiner (18/7/09)

Unions say cuts are a 'social timebomb' - Irish Times (17/7/08)
Outcry as teacher unions threaten to strike over 'unacceptable' proposals - Irish Independent (17/7/09)

ICTU: 15% wage cut call 'nonsense' - Irish Examiner (10/7/09)
Children are being made 'scapegoats of economic downturn' - Irish Independent (10/7/09)
'Nonsense' to link wage cuts with national competitiveness - Irish Times (10/7/09)

Cut to stay in school programme - RTE Six One News (24/6/09)
Alternative Leaving Cert hit by cutbacks - Irish Independent (25/6/09)

Study: Poor rate of training for secondary teachers - Irish Examiner (17/6/09)
Irish pupils bottom of the class for school punctuality - Irish Independent (17/6/09)
Drugs and alcohol causing problems at school, says report - Irish Times (17/6/09)

Union Post Magazine May 2009 - featuring article (p.22) written by TUI General Secretary Peter MacMenamin on stimulating economic recovery through education.

TUI received extensive coverage across all national media during Congress week. Full details are available on request from TUI head office.

TUI wants boost for apprenticeship system - Irish Times (14/4/09)
Disastrous slump in apprenticeships is forecast - Irish Independent (14/4/09)
TUI also featured on RTE's Six One News and various national radio news bulletins throughout the day.

Cutbacks 'will lead to classroom chaos' - Irish Independent (13/4/09)
Teachers 'work 47-hour week' - Irish Times (13/4/09)
Worrying trend in school absenteeism shown in report - Irish Times (13/4/09)
Teachers spend 25 hours on extra activities - Irish Examiner (13/4/09)
TUI General Secretary Peter MacMenamin previewed the conference's main issues on RTE's Six One News.
TUI President Don Ryan spoke about the effects the education cutbacks will have on RTE Radio 1's News at One programme.

TUI railing against cutbacks - Sunday Business Post (12/4/09)
Teachers will be forced to teach without books - Sunday Business Post (12/4/09)

School drop-out rate costs €100m per year, says TUI - Irish Times (11/4/09)
Early school leavers cost €4b - Irish Examiner (11/4/09)
Parents face €250 bill with axing of book grant - Irish Independnet (11/4/09)
Peter MacMenamin appeared on RTE Radio 1's Drivetime (10/4/09) discussing the huge economic cost of student drop-out

Teacher redundancies make no sense - TUI - RTE News (6/4/09)

Third level fees decision to come after Budget - Irish Examiner (4/4/09)

TUI General Secretary Peter MacMenamin outlines reasons behind withdrawal of some activities by TUI members (RTE Radio 1 News at One 30/3/09)

Teachers begin work-to-rule action in levy protest - Irish Examiner (21/3/09)
Teacher unions to boycott meetings in levy protest - Irish Times (21/3/09)
Teacher unions in work to rule protests - Irish Independent (21/3/09)

Teachers to join one-day work stoppage - Irish Times (14/3/09)

Unions to meet on possible strike action - Irish Independent (9/3/09)
Teacher unions claim talks can avert strikes - Irish Examiner (9/3/09)

60,000 teachers vote for industiral action
Teachers vote for industrial action - Irish Times (7/3/09)
Teachers vote in favour of work stoppage - Irish Independent (7/3/09)
Industrial action likely as teachers show anger - Irish Examiner (7/3/09)

Unions reject O' Keeffe's job loss numbers - Irish Examiner (26/2/09)

O' Keeffe says education job losses to be less than 400 - Irish Examiner (24/2/09)

Restart talks or face strikes, Government told - Irish Independent (23/2/09)

Levy means teachers make 25% levy contribution- TUI (19/2/09)
ICTU set to discuss ballot on strikes - Irish Times (19/2/09)

'Teachers will pay 27% of salary to pension - TUI' - IrishTimes.com (19/2/09)

Teachers' unions in levy talks - Irish Times (17/2/09)
Teacher unions warn of industrial action - Irish Examiner (17/2/09)

Teachers unions meet over opposition to levy - Irish Times (16/2/09)
Teaching unions meet to discuss response to pay levy - Breakingnews.ie (16/2/09)

TUI to ballot members for industrial action (13/2/09)
Furious teachers to vote on industrial action - Irish Independent (14/2/09)
Teachers' unions to ballot for industrial action over levy - Irish Times (13/2/09)
President Don Ryan was also interviewed on INN news bulletins on this issue

Pension levy: 50,000 teachers to decide on plan of action next week - Irish Times (11/2/09)

TUI pull out of school checks - Irish Examiner (9/2/09)

Non-teaching/lecturing duties must now be scrapped - TUI (6/2/09)
TUI to withdraw co-operation and CPSU considers action - Irish Times (7/2/09)
Pension row teachers plan work-to-rule as anger builds - Irish Independent (7/2/09)
Union tells teachers to focus 'on core activities' - Irish Examiner (7/2/09)
Peter MacMenamin was also interviewed on various radio news bulletins and on Newstalk 106's Saturday Edition news review show.

TUI Meets to discuss response to pension levy - Irish Independent (6/2/09)

TUI Press Conference on education kick-starting economic recovery (5/2/09)
Teachers vent fury as FAS gets all 51,000 training slots - Irish Independent (6/2/09)
Teacher union dismay as training places go to FAS - Irish Examiner (6/2/09)
Teacher union critical of leading FAS role in education - Irish Times (6/2/09)
TUI President Don Ryan was interviewed on RTE's Drivetime
TUI General Secretary Peter MacMenamin was interviewed on Today FM's The Last Word and INN, Today FM and 98FM news bulletins

Angry teachers threaten action - Irish Times (5/2/09)

Schools face drastic cuts - Sunday Business Post (25/1/09)
Transition year grants withdrawal will create ‘ghettoised’ schooling, say teachers - Sunday Business Post (25/1/09)

Lack of funds blamed for axing school leavers survey - Irish Examiner (22/1/09)
TUI President Don Ryan was also interviewed on this subject for RTE Radio 1's Drivetime (22/1/09)

State aid to stay for fee-paying schools - Irish Times (20/1/09)
Fee paying schools got €100m subsidy from State last year - Irish Times (20/1/09)

Teachers brands pay and pension cuts 'unacceptable' - Irish Independent (20/1/09)

Teacher unions to oppose cuts in salaries - Irish Times (15/1/09)

TUI responds to Minister's comments regarding school information (7/1/09)
Minister accused of u-turn on exam league tables - Irish Independent (8/1/09)
Minister wants schools to give parents more information - Irish Examiner (8/1/09)

2008

Anger on streets during biggest public rally since Iraq war - Irish Independent 8/12/08
Parents show solidarity in face of budget cuts - Irish Times 8/12/08
Over 40,000 express Furey over education cuts - Sunday Tribune 7/12/08
Streets fill with anger at education cutbacks - Sunday Independent 7/12/08

TUI responds to substitution announcement (4/12/08)
TUI General Secretary Peter MacMenamin interview on on RTE Six One and Nine News 4/12/08
Substitution deal ends threat of disruption in secondary schools - Irish Times 5/12/08
O' Keeffe in partial climbdown over substitute teachers' pay - Irish Independent 5/12/08
Teachers' union welcomes O' Keeffe budget u-turn - Irish Examiner 5/12/08

RTE Questions and Answers discussion on cutbacks featuring TUI President Don Ryan and Assistant General Secretary Declan Glynn - 1/12/08

Minister attempts to defend the indefensible (20/11/08)
O' Keeffe claim on teachers' sick leave angers unions - Irish Times 21/11/08
O' Keeffe accuses teachers of 'scaremongering' tactics - Irish Independent 21/11/08

Cutback revelation to throw Further Education sector into chaos (12/11/08)
Post Leaving-Cert courses hit - Irish Independent 13/11/08
Pupil-teacher ratio to rise in post-Leaving courses - Irish Times 13/11/08
Teachers' union furious at hidden education cut - Irish Examiner 13/11/08
TUI claims additional education cutbacks - RTE

TUI asks Minister to reverse most savage cuts (11/11/08)
Education campaign to intensify, says TUI - Irish Times 12/11/08

Concerned third level coalition unite against cuts (9/11/08)
Cuts target those 'who can least afford them' - Irish Independent 10/11/08

Vicious cuts in education must be reversed
Irish Times opinion editorial (5/11/08) by TUI President Don Ryan

Speech from Don Ryan at Dáil Protest against Education Cuts (29/10/08)
Managers warn of major disruption in schools next year - Irish Times 30/10/08
Class action on cuts - Irish Examiner 30/10/08
O' Keeffe's scare claim enrages teachers - Irish Independent 30/10/08

Education Cuts to cost Families thousands (28/10/08)
Education cuts mean 'average family must find €2,000' - Irish Independent 29/10/08

Student Drop-Out Numbers to Soar (27/10/08)
Cuts imply loss of 1,000 teachers, says INTO - Irish Times 28/10/08

Teachers and Parents United Against Cuts (23/10/08)
Schools blast education cuts as 'immoral and offensive' - Irish Independent 24/10/08
Cutbacks immoral, say primary school managers - Irish Examiner 24/10/08

Taxpayers Continue to Subsidise Fee Paying Schools (22/10/08)
Funding for fee paying schools can be cut, says TUI chief - Irish Independent 23/10/08
Union: End private school subsidies to avoid staff cuts - Irish Examiner 23/10/08
Schools may close from January due to substitute cuts - Irish Times 23/10/08
Teachers dismiss O' Keeffe's appeal on class size - Irish Independent 23/10/08

Logistical Nightmare ahead for School Management(21 Oct 2008)
Schools enlist help of parents to counter cuts - Irish Independent 22/10/08
Pressure mounts for education cuts U-turn - Irish Examiner 22/10/08

Targeting the little ones - Irish Times editorial 21/10/08
"The Teachers' Union of Ireland has accused the education minister of 'asset-stripping' the education service."

TUI Case Studies Show How Cuts Will Devastate Schools (19 Oct 2008)
TUI Warns budget cuts will 'asset-strip' education           - Irish Times 20/10/08
More than 1,200 school jobs will go, says union        - Irish Independent 20/10/08
Teacher unions and parent groups to fight budget cuts   - Irish Examiner 20/10/08
Teacher Union Challenges Govt Over Budget - RTE Six One News

TUI Vows To Fight Second Level Staff Cuts (16 Oct 2008)
O' Keeffe Accused of targeting the most vulnerable - Irish Times 17/10/08
Grant cutbacks: Shame on you minister, say principals - Irish Examiner 17/10/08

TUI Demands Continuation of Early Retirement Scheme  (15 Oct 2008)
Teaching cuts 'will result in pupils being sent home' - Irish Independent 16/10/08

Initial TUI Reaction to Budget (14 Oct 2008)
Student registration fee will increase to €1,500 from next September - Irish Times 15/10/08
Class Sizes U-Turn Slammed - Irish Examiner 15/10/08

Budget Must Prioritise Education(13 Oct 2008)
TUI Urge School Levy On Multinationals - Irish Independent 14/10/08

TCP 0379 1 TCP 0423

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Peter protest don protest

60,000 March Against Education Cuts

60,000 pupils, parents and teachers marched in Dublin City on Satuday Demember 6th in the Schools United national protest against the education cutbacks. TUI thanks all members of the school community who protested against the most savage cutbacks in recent memory.

TUI President Don Ryan's address 6/12/08
TUI General Secretary Peter MacMenamin's address 6/12/08

TUI Summary of Main Budget Cutbacks

Letter to Branches re: Dáil Protest against Education Cuts, Wednesday 29/10/08

Letter to Branches re: Education Cuts, 21/10/08

TUI is encouraging all members to lobby their local TDs, emphasising the devastating effect the cutbacks will have on schools and colleges in their community.
E-mail addresses of Dáil members

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