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Parenting News
€325,000 Funding for Parent and Toddler Group Grants Initiative
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 13/05/2022.Tags: Parenting Education And Politics
Minister for Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth, Roderic O'Gorman, is pleased to announce the details of the Parent and Toddler Group Grants Initiative 2022. The Minister has secured funding of €325,000, which will be allocated to Parent and Toddler Groups nationwide through local City/County Childcare Committees (CCCs). From today, Parent and Toddler Groups are invited to make an application for funding under this Initiative through their local CCC.
This year, two new funding streams are being introduced under Parent and Toddler Group Grants Initiative:
Firstly, funding of up to €400 is available to establish and operate Buggy Walking Groups. These Buggy Walking Groups are organised social walks for parents/guardians and young children. The grant of up to €400 is open to any existing or new organisations or groups who wish to offer a minimum of six organised walks within their community.
Secondly, funding of up to €400 is available for new or existing Parent and Toddler Groups to provide an additional session.
In addition to these new funding streams, Parent and Toddler Groups can apply for funding towards:
- Toys, equipment and books for indoor and outdoor activities, children’s refreshments
- Storage for equipment
- Training for parents, e.g. paediatric first aid, committee skills, parenting courses, facilitated sessions
- Children’s activities, e.g. arts and crafts, music
- Limited funding will be available towards insurance, rent or minor refurbishment
- Commenting on the launch of the Parent and Toddler Group Grants Initiative 2022, Minister O’Gorman said:
“The last two years has been challenging for all of us, not least for children and their parents. I hope this Initiative will encourage the development of new Parent and Toddler Groups, as well as support the continuation and expansion of existing Groups. Parent and Toddler Groups provide a great meeting place for parents/guardians with young children to relax and chat together in a supportive environment while their children play. I am delighted to be able to support them”.
This Initiative will be administered by local CCCs on behalf of the Department of Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth. Further information on the application process, including detailed application guidelines are available now on local CCC websites. Parent and Toddler Groups are encouraged to contact their local CCC with any queries on the Initiative and the application process. Contact details and links to websites of all local CCCs can be found on www.myccc.ie.
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Active Schools Week 2022
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 04/05/2022.Tags: Parenting Education And Politics
Minister for Education Norma Foley launched details of this year’s Active School Week.
National Active School Week #ASW22 takes place from 3-6 May. All schools are encouraged to build Active School Week into their annual school calendars. It is important also that all Active School Week activities are both fun and inclusive. ... click to read full post & comments
40m Summer Programme for Pupils with Complex Needs
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 04/05/2022.Tags: Parenting Education And Politics
Minister for Education Norma Foley and Minister of State with responsibility for Special Education Josepha Madigan announced, on the 3rd of May, a summer education programme for pupils with complex special educational needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage for summer 2022. ... click to read full post & comments
Asthma Society Of Ireland Asks ‘is Ireland Asthma-Safe For Children?'
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 03/05/2022.Tags: Parenting
The Asthma Society of Ireland today released findings of a survey of Irish parents or guardians about their children’s asthma. One in ten children in Ireland have asthma. 73% of parents surveyed reported that they have experienced anxiety around managing their child's asthma – and 28% indicated they experienced this anxiety ‘always or often.’ ... click to read full post & comments
CyberSafeKids "Same Rules Apply" Safety Campaign
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 19/04/2022.Tags: Parenting
You wouldn’t allow it offline, so why allow it online? Remember, Same Rules Apply.
Online safety charity CyberSafeKids is launching its ‘Same Rules Apply’ campaign in Ireland (#samerulesapply). The campaign is an online parental awareness campaign to challenge the arbitrary and outdated separation of the ... click to read full post & comments
Is Féidir Linn! New Irish Language Resource
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 12/04/2022.Tags: Parenting
Broadcaster, writer and parent Maia Dunphy launches new digital resource, Is Féidir Linn!
Inspired by the challenges of home schooling during the pandemic, a new digital resource for parents and guardians was launched by Gael Linn, an organisation which supports schools in promoting the use of the Irish language beyond the classroom.
‘Is Féidir Linn’ aims to make the language accessible for all parents and guardians, regardless of their own Irish language skills or experience, using phrases, stories and songs for children about the daily routines of family life. The interactive resource, which is accessible on computer and mobile devices, features everyday phrases in both English and Irish, as well as a sound-recording of each to help with pronunciation.
The new resource grew from a social media resource, #GaeilgeSaBhaile, that Gael Linn created during the pandemic to support families home schooling. Useful phrases for parents include “Brostaigh ort, maith an cailín”, “Hurry up, good girl”, and inspired by the pandemic, “Ná dean dearmad do lámha a ní”, “Don’t forget to wash your hands”.
Speaking at the launch of ‘Is Féidir Linn’, Edel Ní Bhraonáin, Gaelbhratach Project Co-ordinator at Gael Linn, said: “While home schooling during the pandemic, many parents and guardians found themselves using more Irish with their children, some having not used the language themselves since school, or having never learned it at all. While it may have been a challenge at the time, we’ve heard from many who were also inspired to reignite their love and use of the language, or to begin learning Irish for the first time.
“This resource has been designed with the parent in mind, as much as the child, with accessible stories and songs that lift the language off the page and the screen, to give families the language for everyday activities at home like getting ready for school or the bedtime routine. Incorporating Irish into the everyday like this is an easy and effective way for parents to bring Irish out of the classroom and into the home.”
‘Is Féidir Linn’ was launched today by broadcaster, writer and parent, Maia Dunphy. Speaking at the launch, Ms Dunphy said: “This is such a useful resource for anyone hoping to use more Irish at home with the kids in their life. It’s interactive and gives families practical phrases they can use day-to-day, which is so important for language learning.
“I know from my own little boy, children embrace language learning with such enthusiasm, and they’re not held back by fear of making mistakes, we could learn a lot from them in that sense.”
Funded by Foras na Gaeilge, ‘Is Féidir Linn’ is available for free at: www.gaelbhratach.ie/is-feidir-linn/. Follow on social media @gaelbhratach.
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Scheme will extend access to subsidised early learning and childcare
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 08/04/2022.Tags: Education And Politics Parenting
Changes to the National Childcare Scheme fast tracked to extend access to subsidised early learning and childcare for children and families ... click to read full post & comments
Ireland has little understanding of Autism
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 31/03/2022.Tags: Parenting Education And Politics
AsIAm, Ireland’s National Autism Charity, today launched a new report highlighting the challenges autistic people experience in Ireland, the continued low levels of public understanding and the barriers that remain when accessing services. ... click to read full post & comments
Reform of Senior Cycle Education Announced
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 29/03/2022.Tags: Parenting Education And Politics
The Minister for Education Norma Foley today, Tuesday 29 March, announced her ambitious plans for a reimagined Senior Cycle of education for post-primary students – Equity and Excellence for All: where the student is at the centre of their Senior Cycle experience. ... click to read full post & comments
Establishment of new special school in Cork
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 23/03/2022.Tags: Parenting Education And Politics
Minister for Education Norma Foley TD and Minister of State with responsibility for Special Education and Inclusion Josepha Madigan TD have today, 23 March, announced a significant expansion of special school provision in Cork and Dublin. ... click to read full post & comments(1)
€32 Million Expansion of Deis Programme
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 10/03/2022.Tags: Parenting Education And Politics
Minister for Education Norma Foley today announced a major expansion of the DEIS – Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools programme that will see the programme extended to an additional 310 schools. For the first time since 2017 the DEIS programme is being significantly ... click to read full post & comments
Recommendations on gender balance in STEM education
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 08/03/2022.Tags: Parenting
Minister for Education Norma Foley TD today, 8 March, announced the publication of Recommendations on Gender Balance in STEM Education. The recommendations were informed by the Department of Education’s Gender Balance in STEM Advisory Group. ... click to read full post & comments
Scheme to provide Irish Sign Language Support
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 03/03/2022.Tags: Parenting Education And Politics
Minister for Education Norma Foley TD and Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion Josepha Madigan TD today (Wednesday 2 March) announced details of a new scheme for the provision of Irish Sign Language (ISL) ... click to read full post & comments
Schools in these counties to close 18th February
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 17/02/2022.Tags: Parenting Teachers
According to RTE, Schools are to close tomorrow 18th February in the following seven counties due to a red weather warning:
(update: This now includes Clare and Waterford who have been issued with Status Red wind warnings. )
In all other counties, schools will be told they can open subject to ... click to read full post & comments
New Steering Committee to Develop Action Plan on Bullying
Posted by Schooldays Nwshound, on 17/02/2022.Tags: Parenting Education And Politics
The Minister for Education Norma Foley TD has today announced the Steering Committee established to review the Department of Education’s Action Plan on Bullying which was published in 2013 and develop a new Action Plan. ... click to read full post & comments
Exam timetables 2022
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 09/02/2022.Tags: Teachers Parenting
On 1 February 2022, Minister for Education Norma Foley TD announced extensive changes to the Leaving Certificate written examinations.
On 8 February, The State Examinations Commission released the timetables for the 2022 certificate examinations which will ... click to read full post & comments
Fees waived for 2022 Exams
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 04/02/2022.Tags: Parenting
The Minister for Education Norma Foley TD has today (Thursday 3 February) confirmed the waiving of the fees for the 2022 Leaving Certificate and Junior Cycle examinations. ... click to read full post & comments
Junior & Leaving Certificate Arrangements 2022
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound, on 01/02/2022.Tags: Parenting Teachers
Following a Government decision today, Minister for Education Norma Foley TD has announced extensive changes to the state examinations for 2022.
To take into account the disruption to teaching and learning experienced by the Leaving Certificate class of 2022, extensive changes will be ... click to read full post & comments
Traditional Leaving Cert Exams Proposals to go to Cabinet today
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound, on 01/02/2022.Tags: Parenting Teachers
The Minister for Education, Norma Foley, is expected to bring proposals to the Cabinet this morning which recommend against providing a hybrid examination option for this year's Leaving Certificate students. It is believed that what is being proposed is ... click to read full post & comments
Ryan Plans for Acceleration in Active Travel Post-COVID
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 24/01/2022.Tags: Parenting
The Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan today confirmed that the National Transport Authority (NTA) has allocated funds to Ireland's local authorities with a view to spending €289 million on walking and cycling infrastructure in 2022. ... click to read full post & comments
Minister Foley Invites Views on the School Transport Scheme
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 21/01/2022.Tags: Parenting
Minister for Education Norma Foley TD today opened a consultation process with stakeholders, as part of the review of the school transport scheme.
The review currently being conducted by the Department of Education encompasses the school transport scheme ... click to read full post & comments
Students call for a Hybrid State Exams Model
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound, on 17/01/2022.Tags: Parenting Teachers
ISSU Statement : Irish Students Call for a Hybrid State Exams Model by a Landslide
The Irish Second-Level Students' Union (ISSU) survey of school students shows that two-thirds of exam students are calling for a ... click to read full post & comments
TUI seeks full return to state exams this year
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 10/01/2022.Tags: Teachers Parenting
It is the strong position of the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) that the traditional State Examinations must take place this year. The current circumstances are radically different from previous years and there is no justification for ... click to read full post & comments(3)
Feeder Schools Lists published for 2021
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound, on 07/01/2022.Tags: Education And Politics Teachers Parenting
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The college progression data or information on ‘feeder schools’ to third level for autumn 2021 is available today on Schooldays.ie providing school-by-school information on which students have progressed to which colleges this year.
To view the information on your school for the last ten years on Schooldays.ie, visit ... click to read full post & comments
Schools will re-open Thursday
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 04/01/2022.Tags: Parenting Teachers
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Statement following meeting between Minister Foley and education stakeholders today, 4 January 2022
Minister for Education Norma Foley TD together with officials, has today met with representatives from Public Health, the HSE and education stakeholders to discuss the re-opening of schools following the Christmas break, on Thursday 6 January.
These meetings were productive, with ... click to read full post & comments
ASTI proposing a delayed & staggered reopening of schools
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound, on 03/01/2022.Tags: Parenting Teachers
The Standing Committee of the ASTI met today to assess the position regarding the reopening of schools in the context of the prevalence of Covid-19 nationwide.
The meeting heard of the unease of members regarding the health and safety of teachers, students and school communities.
The ASTI is deeply concerned that ... click to read full post & comments
Minister for Health announces vaccine for 5-11 year olds
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 08/12/2021.Tags: Parenting
The Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD, has accepted new recommendations in relation to Ireland’s COVID-19 vaccination programme.
The recommendations were made by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) ... click to read full post & comments
Some schools to remain closed 8th December
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound, on 07/12/2021.Tags: Parenting Teachers
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Updated 10pm 7/12/21 -
n a statement, the Department of Education said: "The department is advising that all schools that are currently or forecast to be in a Red or Orange alert area should remain closed tomorrow, 8 December. This will allow for assessment of the impact of Storm Barra to take place."
This includes: Dublin, Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cork, Kerry, Waterford, Limerick, Clare, Galway, Mayo and Wexford.
Previous Statement
The Department is advising that all schools that are currently or forecast to be in a Red or Orange alert area should remain closed tomorrow, 8 December. This will allow for ... click to read full post & comments
Schools in Orange & Red Alert areas to close tomorrow
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 06/12/2021.Tags: Parenting Teachers
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Due to the significant nature of Storm Barra and to give sufficient notice to schools and parents/guardians, the Department said it is advising that all schools covered by the Red Alert and Orange warning from Met Éireann should not ... click to read full post & comments
Minister Foley confirms 20 school building projects
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 06/12/2021.Tags: Parenting Education And Politics
Minister for Education Norma Foley TD confirms that 20 school building projects, being managed and delivered on a devolved basis by the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) on behalf of the Department, are expected to progress to tender stage. ... click to read full post & comments
€50 million funding to primary and post-primary schools
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 06/12/2021.Tags: Parenting Education And Politics
Minister for Education Norma Foley TD today announces the issue of €50 million in grant funding to schools, the first of two major ICT projects supporting primary and post-primary schools. This funding was secured as part of a major investment programme for the Department of Education ... click to read full post & comments
Guidance issued on mask wearing in schools from 3rd Class
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound, on 30/11/2021.Tags: Parenting Teachers
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The Department of Education has issued guidelines to schools this evening, on the wearing of face masks in primary schools for those in third class and up. The guidelines include what exemptions will apply. The new rule, which was recommended by Nphet last week, is to take ... click to read full post & comments
INTO survey on Covid infections & absences in schools
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound, on 22/11/2021.Tags: Teachers Parenting
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From Tuesday, 16 November 2021 to Thursday 18 November 2021, the union conducted a snapshot survey of 3,100 school principals across the country to assess the level of Covid-19 infection they were aware of in their school community and the extent of the substitution crisis. A total of ... click to read full post & comments
Antigen Testing Arrangements for Schools
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 18/11/2021.Tags: Parenting Teachers
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Minister for Education Norma Foley TD and Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly TD have today confirmed arrangements for a new system of antigen testing of asymptomatic close contacts in primary schools put in place by the HSE.
The Department of Education and the HSE, working in collaboration with the Department of Health, have developed a programme in which antigen tests will be made available to the children in a primary school pod, where ... click to read full post & comments
Minister Foley meets students to mark the UNESCO International Day against violence and bullying
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 04/11/2021.Tags: Parenting Education And Politics
Minister for Education Norma Foley TD today welcomed to the Department of Education in Marlborough street students from St Patrick’s Boys National School, Drumcondra and Coláiste Bride, Clondalkin to mark the UNESCO International Day against violence and bullying at school (4 November). ... click to read full post & comments
Ireland’s National School Photography Awards Winners
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 01/11/2021.Tags: Parenting
The INSPA team would like to congratulate every school who participated in the 2020/21 National School Photography Awards. The national winner is Meabh Lowney from St. Joseph's GNS, Clonakilty who submitted the photo entitled Our Bubble into the Senior Category of the awards. The winner of the Junior Category is Katie O'Rourke from Timoleague N.S. with her entry Good Morning Ireland. ... click to read full post & comments
Surge in Covid 19 infections among 5 to 12 year olds
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 28/10/2021.Tags: Parenting
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Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Ronan Glynn, has asked parents to consider cutting down on their children's activities outside school amid a worrying surge in Covid-19 infections in five to 12 year olds.
Dr Glynn said that "it's not entirely clear what's driving it (increased incidence) in that age group at the moment" but advised that "we’re watching that very closely, and we’re doing further analysis in that age group at the moment ". Dr Glynn went on to say that "parents should ask if their children need to be engaging in everything they are engaging in at a point in time”.
He added: “If your children are going on playdates or engaging in sport, think of all the other activities they are engaging in.” Parents have also been urged not to bring their kids trick-or-treating this Halloween if they are showing symptoms of Covid-19 ... click to read full post & comments
1,700 additional special class places in 2022
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 22/10/2021.Tags: Parenting Education And Politics
Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion Josepha Madigan TD has welcomed plans by the National Council for Special Education to create an additional 1,700 special class places in 2022. The provision of new special class places will result from engagement with schools arising from demographic planning as well as the recruitment of additional special needs assistants and special education teachers. ... click to read full post & comments
Budget 2022 Education Update
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound, on 12/10/2021.Tags: Education And Politics Parenting Teachers
A total of €9.2 billion has been allocated to the Department of Education for 2022, including a capital budget of €792 million.
The Government has indicated this will support a school building programme which involves over 200 projects which once completed, are expected to deliver over 30,000 school places. ... click to read full post & comments
ISSU calls for urgent reform of Leaving Cert
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 05/10/2021.Tags: Parenting Education And Politics
Emer Neville, Uachtarán of the Irish Second-Level Students’ Union (ISSU), is presenting before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science on Leaving Certificate reform, today. ... click to read full post & comments(1)
Global report on undervalued teaching profession
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 04/10/2021.Tags: Parenting Education And Politics
The report assesses the status of teachers and the teaching profession in an era of COVID-19
On World Teachers’ Day, education unions are raising the alarm as new research shows that teachers around the world are overworked, underpaid, and undervalued. ... click to read full post & comments
Changes to Close Contacts from 27th September 2021
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 27/09/2021.Tags: Parenting Education And Politics
On the evening of 26th of September, Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan released the following statement:
"Over the last few weeks, it has been heartening to see our young people across the island return to in-person learning in educational settings.
"The role education plays in our society is immense, and, throughout this pandemic, the necessary public health measures have been designed to protect this vital sector and the wider school community from the worst impacts of COVID-19. ... click to read full post & comments
Changes to Management of Close Contacts in Schools
Posted by Schooldays newshound, on 22/09/2021.Tags: Parenting Education And Politics
The Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD has today accepted recommendations in relation to measures for contact tracing and testing for childcare and primary schools. The new measures will come into effect from Monday and have been made following discussions with the National Public Health Emergency Team and the Chief Medical Officer.
Minister Donnelly has accepted the following recommendations, to be implemented from 27 September: ... click to read full post & comments
Programme to Spark Student Interest in Public Sector Careers
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 22/09/2021.Tags: Parenting Education And Politics
The Public Appointments Service, through its website publicjobs.ie, has today (22.09.21) launched a new programme for second-level students that aims to spark interest in the wide variety of career opportunities that are available across the public sector. ... click to read full post & comments