If we were to establish an academy and house it in the GPO, it would kill three very significant birds with one stone: Firstly, it would revolutionise art education in Ireland, and a revolution is what's needed. Secondly, it would give us an institution that would be a rallying point for our national pride and our national identity. And thirdly, it would be a catalyst for the regeneration of that part of the north inner city, which as you know, has been sorely neglected.  The establishment of an Academy in the GPO would also honour the memories of the men and women of 1916, and be in alignment with the ethos of the Rising, known as the Poet's Rebellion.  The GPO is the building our nation was born in, it should not be used for shops and offices as the government are currently proposing, we can do much, much better.

The decision to restore the student contribution fee to €3,000 represents more than just an additional €1,000 expense - it creates a significant financial barrier for thousands of students and families.  Many do not qualify for means-based grants and are already struggling under high living costs, including steep rent and energy bills. This reversal flies in the face of the Programme for Government’s promise to “continue to reduce the Student Contribution Fee over the lifetime of the Government”.  AMLÉ, the national student union, has voiced serious concern, warning that this rollback could lead to increased deferral rates, dropouts, or a migration of students abroad .  This move comes despite the Government sitting on an estimated €8.5 billion surplus and would cost just around €100 million to maintain the €2,000 fee . This isn't merely a budgetary decision—it’s a question of whether our politicians keeps their promises, prioritise equity in education, and invest in the future of Ireland’s higher education.

Ireland must not be a country where children are punished for seeking refuge and for the failures of the Irish asylum process. We must be a nation that values protection, compassion, and justice, especially for the most vulnerable.

Why is it important? Because none of us are safe under a mental health system that’s stuck in 2001. The Mental Health Act 2001 still allows forced treatment, restraint, and seclusion—even though these practices are now widely recognised as harmful, especially to neurodivergent people (like those with autism, ADHD, or trauma-related conditions). It treats emotional overwhelm as illness. It punishes difference as danger. This law was written before most people had smartphones. Before we had language for sensory overload, neurodivergence, or digital expression. It’s outdated, invasive, and not trauma-informed—and it puts thousands of people at risk every year. Why should others join? Because you don’t have to be in crisis to care. This campaign is about protecting our freedom, dignity, and human rights. It’s about making sure no one is silenced, secluded, or forcibly medicated for being misunderstood. If you’ve ever: • Had your feelings dismissed as “too much” • Been misdiagnosed • Been afraid to seek help because the system might punish you Then this campaign is for you. We need to audit the Mental Health Act 2001—and bring Ireland in line with modern science and EU human rights law. Join us. Share. Demand better. ACTIVATE. AGITATE. AMPLIFY!

People who come to Ireland seeking asylum currently can't access many education and training courses unless they have a work permit, meaning so many are left without jobs and without access to education for months on end. This has to change. We are calling on Higher Education Minister James Lawless and Education Minister Helen McEntee to remove the requirement for a work permit for further education and training courses.  This small but simple change will dramatically improve the lives of people who are seeking asylum in Ireland. It will mean that people can start upskilling and training from the moment they arrive in Ireland, so they're best equipped to get good employment when they do get their work permits.  Sign the petition today and join us in our call to give people seeking asylum the right to an education.

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!