Emma O Kelly

Education Correspondent

Enhanced funding and staffing supports are among the measures being considered

More school supports for children in disadvantaged areas

Enhanced supports are to be put in place in schools to meet the needs of children and young people growing up in areas with the highest levels of disadvantage.

Education • 03 Mar 25

Around 50 parents from Dublin and counties across the country are protesting

Protest over lack of school places for autistic children

A group of parents who say they are desperate to secure school places for their autistic children have been protesting outside the Department of Education of Dublin's Marlborough Street, saying they will sleep there tonight in order to draw attention to their plight.

Education • 28 Feb 25

Haneen Alkahlout and her two children, Nouralaen, two, and nine-month-old Sarah joined their husband and father Hazem Malaka in Ireland on 9 February

Palestinian family sleeping in car 'feel hopeless'

A Palestinian family who fled the war in Gaza are sleeping in a car in Dublin after three council areas rejected their appeal for emergency homeless accommodation.

Ireland • 27 Feb 25

The strike action was being taken by staff at BIMM music college who are members of IFUT

BIMM staff strike resolved as works vote to accept deal

A dispute that led to teachers at BIMM music college striking for several days earlier this month has been resolved with workers voting - "by a massive majority" according to their union - to accept a deal.

Education • 21 Feb 25

ICOS has called on the Government to introduce basic legislative rights for people living in 'rent a room' or digs accommodation (stock image)

Living conditions for foreign students 'inadequate'

An agency which supports international students in Ireland has said substandard housing conditions are threatening Ireland's ability to promote itself as a global destination for education, research and innovation.

Education • 19 Feb 25

The two studies are based on data gathered under the 'Growing Up in Ireland' programme (Stock image)

Relying on friends for info linked to earlier sex - study

Young people who rely on their friends for information about sex are significantly more likely to have sex earlier, while relying on a teacher as a source of information on sex and relationships is associated with later sexual initiation, according to an ESRI study.

Ireland • 19 Feb 25

The strike action was being taken by staff at BIMM music institute who are members of IFUT

Music college staff suspend strike over redundancy plans

Lecturers at the BIMM music institute have suspended their industrial action after what their union IFUT has described as "constructive discussions" and a proposal from the company that runs the college.

Dublin • 19 Feb 25

Synge Street stands as a symbol of key phases in the history of Irish education, writes Emma O Kelly

What lies ahead now for Synge Street?

Once again, Synge Street finds itself at the centre of a wider story in Irish education and the pressing need for change on a variety of fronts, writes Emma O Kelly.

Analysis and Comment • 16 Feb 25

Last September it was announced that the single-sex boys' school would become co-educational and a Gaelcholáiste from 2026

Department committed to Synge St CBS Gaelcholáiste switch

The Department of Education has said it is "fully supportive and remains committed to the establishment of a Gaelcholáiste in the Dublin South City Area".

Education • 14 Feb 25

Minister McEntee said the increase in absenteeism was more profound among some cohorts of children

Primary school absenteeism 'doubled' since pandemic

Minister for Education and Youth Helen McEntee has told the Dáil that the proportion of children in primary schools missing more than 20 days has doubled since the pandemic.

Education • 13 Feb 25