Government has just announced in today’s cabinet reshuffle that Labour’s Jan O’Sullivan will replace retiring Ruairi Quinn as Minister for Education.

After a few days delay, Taoiseach Enda Kenny and new Tanaiste Joan Burton will finally reveal the official new cabinet reshuffle this afternoon.

Long time Labour party politician O’Sullivan (63) and former Minister for State Housing and Planning will be the New Minister for Education. O’Sullivan is a T.D and former Mayor for Limerick and has worked in the political sphere since she entered politics in 1982 with the former left party, Democratic Socialist Party (DSP).

A qualified Montessori teacher, she told The Limerick Leader this afternoon on her new appointment:

“I am absolutely delighted. I have had a lifelong interest in education. I was obviously spokesperson under Pat Rabbitte’s leadership of the Labour Party for several years. I believe very strongly that it is one of the most important areas of life insofar as if young people and second chance people get an appropriate opportunity in education, that is hugely life-changing for them. It is an area I have always had a strong interest in,”

She pledges to continue the work with the educational reforms brought in by her former Labour Party colleague, Mr Quinn.

ASTI General Secretary Pat King today wished Jan O’Sullivan well in her new role as Minister for Education and Skills.
Mr. King said that “the ASTI is available to meet and work with Minister O’Sullivan to resolve the current dispute over proposed changes to Junior Cycle assessment. The proposals as they stand do not have the confidence of teachers and it is now clear that parents also have serious concerns. Education is a key ministry and the ASTI will support the new Minister in seeking to reverse five years of damaging cuts in school staffing and resources.”


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