Reading Recovery has faced growing criticism due to advances in the Science of Reading. Four decades after its introduction, New Zealand Education Minister Erica Stanford announced on 3 May 2024 that funding for Reading Recovery will end in 2025 (Newshub 2024, cited by Chapman and Turner 2024). Minister Stanford has been widely praised for her strong commitment to evidence-based policy in ending this harmful and outdated approach. Similarly, New South Wales discontinued all funding for Reading Recovery in 2016 due to serious concerns about its effectiveness and cost. Numerous U.S. states have also moved to ban or phase out Reading Recovery programs, citing its failure to produce lasting gains in literacy and alignment issues with Science of Reading research Quite frankly—and with all due respect—Minister Helen McEntee, the time has come to engage with the wealth of accessible research condemning this approach and take decisive action in Ireland. Please refer to my blog 'Reading Recovery: A Review of the Research' on www.muinteoirchloe.ie for a review of literature and listen to the 'Sold a Story' Podcast. https://www.muinteoirchloe.ie/blog/reading-recovery-a-review-of-the-research

The Dublin Central Equality in Education campaign group is asking for your support. We are a group of parents across the Dublin Central area of Dublin campaigning for ALL children with additional needs to have access to a school place in their community, and they receive the  support and resources they need to live the fullest life possible and have the opportunity to thrive.  We are part of the wider national Equality in Education campaign and support their demands. We as the Dublin Central area want to build awareness locally and campaign to ensure ALL the children in Dublin Central can access a school place in their community.  We are asking you to sign and share our petition with family friends and your community.  If you wish to get in touch with our campaign you can email here: [email protected] We are campaigning for the following:  • All children with additional needs in the Dublin Central constituency have an education place for September 2025.  • There is no cap on SNA allocation and all children have the SNA support they need and access to all other extra resources in classrooms across schools in the Dublin Central area.  • In the Dublin Central area the SENO will contact all creche and early years settings  to ensure all children who will need a special education place are accounted for.   • The demands of SNAs in current contract negotiations are met. They have access to professional development to support their role and the children's needs. Changes are made to minimum qualification requirement to enter the profession as per SNA campaign 

Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) play a vital part in the lives of pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The current lack of centralised Garda Vetting makes it very hard for SNAs to work in schools, as at the minute they have to vetted for every single school they might want to work in. This means that schools can often struggle to get a substitute SNA since the SNA is not vetted for their school (even if they are vetted for the exact same role in other schools), resulting in pupils missing out on important educational supports. If other professionals can have centralised vetting, like how teachers have universal vetting through The Teaching Council, why can SNAs not have the same option? Centralised vetting would also help to reduce the amount of time and resources that school management members would have to spend preparing SNA vetting paperwork for SNA staff. Even if a nationwide organisation was set up to manage the centralised vetting of SNAs, most SNAs would appreciate being part of a group where they can connect with other likeminded SNAs and peers. The role of an SNA is often misunderstood and overly simplified by people, so it would be a nice acknowledgement of the importance of their everyday work with SEND pupils. Thank you for taking the time to read this, hopefully it will result in the introduction of centralised Garda Vetting for SNAs in the near future! Amy Reynolds *I am a qualified Special Needs Assistant (SNA), Teaching Assistant (TA) and Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) teacher. I am passionate about education, particularly inclusive education, and the benefits it brings, especially for pupils with SEND. I myself have struggled to get opportunities to work as an SNA (even as a substitute) as my vetting for other settings would not cover me for that particular school. I now work in pharmacy and am completing an apprenticeship pharmacy technician style course. I would like my future work to combine education and pharmacy / healthcare*

The closure of The Wombles at this location will not only leave children without crucial early learning opportunities but will also place an immense strain on working parents who depend on after-school care. Many of us have built our work schedules around this service, knowing our children are in a safe, familiar, and supportive environment. The impact extends beyond our families, affecting six dedicated early years educators who may lose their jobs. Early years education plays a vital role in identifying children who may need additional support or early intervention, and The Wombles has been instrumental in ensuring children receive the help they need from an early age. Over the past decade, they have provided Level 7 support for children who have gone on to thrive in school. We urge you to find a solution that does not leave 98 children without care and education. Our families need your immediate attention to this matter.

Men with Prostate Cancer who have come to end of chemotherapy may require a therapy called Pluvicto , to help extend what ever time they have left. The vast majority  of men in this country will not be able to afford this treatment. Up to at least 100 men a year will require this treatment and while we understand this treatment is expensive , we have to ask are Irish men’s lives and the time they have left less important than any other Irish citizen who needs a treatment. This treatment is widely available in the EU and as such we feel as paying members of the EU we should be entitled to receive this treatment in Ireland. It is not just men with cancer who would benefit from this  being available, wives,  partners , children, mothers ,brothers ,sisters and friends would  love to have some extra time with their loved ones in the last stage of prostate cancer

The dedicated staff who work there are asking for our support to help them keep their jobs local. The Centre supports our schools and local community. It is too valuable a resource to loose. Please sign and share my petition if you wish to give your support to my campaign. Alone I can do nothing, together we have a chance to succeed. Thank you all so much.

Here’s why you should sign: ✅ Hold Politicians Accountable – If an elected official ignores their campaign promises or fails to take action on critical issues, voters should have the power to respond before the next election. ✅ Strengthen Democracy – Other democracies like the US, Canada, and parts of Europe already allow citizens to recall politicians. Ireland should modernise its system to give people a stronger voice. ✅ Ensure Promises Are Kept – Campaigns should not be built on empty promises. If politicians know they can be recalled for inaction, they will have a stronger incentive to follow through on their commitments. ✅ Empower Citizens – Democracy doesn’t stop at the ballot box. Irish voters deserve a mechanism to ensure they are truly represented throughout a politician’s term. Signing this petition is a step toward real accountability in Irish politics. Let’s make sure our leaders work for the people—not just for re-election. Sign now to demand change!

The Need for Safer Roads and Access to Sports Facilities for TETNS Students.  As a community, we value the well-being, safety, and education of our children. The lack of access to safe sports facilities and the perilous routes students take to reach them is a pressing concern that requires immediate attention.  Every day, over 2,200 students and families use Dublin Road, Athenry Road, and Frank Stockwell Road to get to and from school. This poses a significant risk to their safety, as these roads are congested with all manner of vehicles, including cars, buses, tractors, and lorries.  The situation is particularly alarming for our children in Tuam Educate Together NS, who must walk over 3km to and from Tuam Stars GAA Club to access sports pitches. This not only puts them at risk of injury or worse but also limits their opportunities for physical activity, socialization, and team-building through sport.  Moreover, students from Junior Infants upwards are forced to cross the busy Dublin Road every week to reach the Tusla Hall for PE classes and assemblies. This is a hazardous journey that requires constant vigilance and can be a major deterrent to our children's participation in physical education and extracurricular activities.  By signing this petition, we are calling on the Minister for Education Helen McEntee and the Department of Education to provide safe access to adjacent sports facilities and pitches for TETNS students. This is not just a matter of convenience or comfort; it's a critical aspect of our children's overall well-being, education, and development.  We believe that all children have the right to:  • Safe and convenient access to sports facilities and pitches  • Adequate physical education and extracurricular activities to promote their health, wellbeing, and social skills  • A safe and healthy environment in which to grow and develop  By supporting this petition, we are advocating for a fundamental change that will benefit not just our children but the entire Tuam community. We urge you to join us in demanding safer roads, better sports facilities, and a healthier future for all of us.

Seoladh suirbhé in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, d'fhreagair 94% de na rannpháirtithe nach raibh caighdeán sásúil ar fáil do seirbhísí na Gaeilge anseo in Éirinn. Cheap 98% gur cheart don Rialtas níos mó seirbhísí a chuir ar fáil do dhaoine óga. Léirigh na daoine go bhfuil fadhbanna córasacha ann maidir le hoideachas na tíre, agus nach raibh deiseanna ar fáil dóibh an Ghaeilge a úsáid go gairmiúil nó mar a dteanga labhartha.  Is saol trí Ghaeilge atá uainn!

The 145 bus route is an essential transport link for the UCD community, providing direct access from Heuston Station to campus. Its removal jeopardises the ability of students, staff, and other UCD members to easily and affordably access the university. Many students rely on this route as their primary means of commuting, and without it, they face increased travel times, additional costs, and greater barriers to participating in campus life. By joining this campaign, you are standing up for fair access to education and work, as well as for better public transport. Whether you use the bus or not, the loss of this route affects the entire UCD community and will have a knock-on impact on other users of public transport in Dublin City Centre.

In the performance community we find it very unfair that what you would view as a 'normal college or academic institution' are able to receive funding/grants to aid their education. However in choosing to pursue a career in performing arts we receive no financial aid whatsoever. This tells us that in Ireland it is not recognised as a valid career path. We deserve the same treatment as everybody else.

The Late Late Toy Show is more than just a TV program—it’s a beloved Irish tradition that brings families together to celebrate the magic of childhood. For many children, it’s the most anticipated night of the year, a chance to see toys, hear stories, and experience the joy of Christmas kicking off. However, the current 9:30 PM start time is simply too late for most young children. By then, many are too tired to fully enjoy the show or can’t stay up at all. This leaves parents torn between letting kids miss out on the excitement or allowing them to stay up and face the consequences of a late night. Moving the Toy Show to 7 PM would: • Allow children to fully participate in this iconic event without sacrificing their sleep. • Create magical family moments for parents and kids to share together. • Honor the tradition of the Toy Show as a celebration for all ages, ensuring that no one feels excluded. This is about making a small but meaningful change that aligns with the Toy Show’s mission of joy, connection, and inclusivity for all Irish families. Let’s make it happen!