December 2009
INTO in the Media
Offaly schools wait for planning - Tullamore Tribune
31st December 2009
Nine schools in Offaly have been waiting a decade or more for their applications to be approved under the school building programme.
The Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) has called for changes in the programme claiming that the current process is overly bureaucratic...
Teacher exodus feared over changes to their pensions - Irish Examiner
31st December 2009
Thousands of teachers could be lost to early retirement next year because of threatened changes to public service pension arrangements, a union has warned...
INTO: pension cuts to spark classroom exodus - Irish Independent
31st December 2009
An exodus of long-serving teachers in a rush to retire ahead of possible pension changes is predicted for 2010. The Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) forecasts a massive increase in early retirements among its members next year...
Sense of victimhood won't rescue us from this mess - Irish Times
31st December 2009
It was a grim year, but greater reality is needed from everyone, especially union leaders, in 2010...
INTO predicts sharp rise in retiring teachers - Irish Times
31st December 2009
There may be a sharp increase in the number of teachers applying for retirement in the coming year amid concern about possible changes to pension arrangements. Last night, the INTO predicted a “massive increase in teacher retirements’’ next year...
INTO criticises slow pace of building projects in schools - Irish Times
29th December 2009
The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) has called for changes in the school building programme and has claimed that the current process is overly bureaucratic...
Children benefit from small classes in early years - study - Irish Times
29th December 2009
Reductions in class size are a considerable benefit to children in primary schools, according to a new report. Incoming INTO general secretary Sheila Nunan said for years teachers have campaigned for smaller classes when children are younger...
Number of places on teaching courses to be slashed - Irish Independent
29th December 2009
Mr O'Keeffe slashed the number of places on a popular postgraduate programme that qualified people from any discipline to teach in primary schools. Last night, the Irish National Teachers' Organisation expressed grave concerns...
Recent election in INTO - Sligo Weekender
29th December 2009
A Sligo teacher was recently elected national president of the Irish National Teachers Organisation. Jim Higgins, who is principal of Ardkeerin primary school in Riverstown, will be taking up the post early in the new year...
Abbeyfeale man takes role in teachers union - The Kingdom
29th December 2009
Abbeyfeale native Noel Ward has been elected to a key role within the primary teachers union the INTO...
Schools to get laptops in €22m new year boost - Irish Examiner
28th December 2009
Schools are to get the classroom laptop computers and digital projects promised by the Government under a €22 million investment in the new year...
Call for overhaul of school works process - Irish Examiner
28th December 2009
Schools in Taoiseach Brian Cowen’s home county which have been waiting from eight to 12 years for building works to begin are proof of a need to overhaul the bureaucratic process, a teachers’ union has claimed...
Laptops for pupils won't come with any software - Irish Daily Mail
28th December 2009
Laptops being provided to primary schools in a €22million 'smart classrooms' scheme will not come with any software installed...
O'Keeffe faces teachers' wrath after a tough year - Sunday Business Post
27th December 2009
The past year has been a tough one for those working in the education sector, but they are going to make sure that next year will be an even tougher one for the government...
Teacher Noel elected to top union job - Limerick Leader
26th December 2009
Abbeyfeale native Noel Ward has been elected as deputy general secretary ofthe Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO)...
Principal becomes President of INTO - Sligo Champion
23rd December 2009
Congratulations to Jim Higgins, Principal of Ardkeeran N.S, who has recently secured the post of President of the Irish National Teachers Organisation...
Why we must defend our beleaguered teachers - Western People
22nd December 2009
Let’s face it, 2009 has been a very bad year for public sector workers. It's one thing having your wages cut, but it's another thing entirely to be repeatedly told you're a burden on society, you've been ripping off the system for the past decade and sure any oul codger could do your job anyway...
School strikes clash with exam build-up - Irish Daily Mail
22nd December 2009
Teachers have cemented plans to hold strikes over pay cuts – spelling massive disruption for leaving and junior certificate students…
Ward elected INTO deputy chief - Irish Examiner
21st December 2009
Primary teachers have elected Limerickman
Ward elected to teachers' union post - Irish Times
21st December 2009
Primary teachers have elected Limerick man Noel Ward as deputy general secretary of the primary teachers’ union the INTO...
Schools may face further disruption in new year - Irish Times
21st December 2009
Schools may face further disruption in the new year after secondary teachers raised the prospect of rolling half-day strikes over the Budget pay cuts...
Fresh row erupts on protection of children in schools - Irish Independent
21st December 2009
A bitter row broke out last night over child protection in thousands of Catholic primary schools...
Catholic-run schools in row over pupil safety - Irish Independent
21st December 2009
A bitter row has erupted over child protection in Catholic primary schools.
Catholic Church education organisations last night hit back at claims that there were deeprooted concerns among school principals over the issue...
Nunan - a biography - Sunday Business Post
20th December 2009
The incoming general secretary of the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) started her teaching career in 1979 in the Dublin suburb of Tallaght, and became involved with the union at a local level...
INTO leader predicts sharp learning curve - Sunday Business Post
20th December 2009
Sheila Nunan could not have taken over the leadership of the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) at a busier time.
As incoming general secretary of the country’s largest teaching union, she was hoping to spend the first few months easing her way into the role. However, with public sector protests to address, 36,000 members to appease and a year of industrial action on the horizon, the comfort blanket of a lead in time is not on...
INTO head vows to fight pay cuts - Sunday Business Post
20th December 2009
Public sector unions have not "moved off the battlefield" and are preparing for a year of significant conflict with the government, according to the incoming general secretary of the Irish National Teachers' Organisation...
Go on Strike? Public sector unions could barely afford to have a Christmas party! - Irish Independent - Supplement
19th December 2009
So, how worried should we be about the threat of serious strike action by the public sector trade unions after Brian Lenihan's pay-slash budget? Will it herald a return to the strife-ridden '70s and '80s?..
Principals insist those in Murphy Report step down - Irish Independent
19th December 2009
Primary school principals are demanding that the four bishops named in the Murphy report step down as patrons of hundreds of schools...
Unions have no option but to launch campaign after cuts - Irish Independent
18th December 2009
Sheila Nunan earlier this week I said the Government had crashed social partnership by ending talks with its own employees and the Budget torched the wreckage. The first casualties of this crash are public servants and those on social welfare. They won't be the only victims.
A racing certainty for the new year is the driving down of wages in the private sector, including the minimum wage along with pension benefit reductions...
Budget axes three teachers from St John of God's - Kilkenny People
18th December 2009
St. John of God's primary school in Kilkenny city will lose three teachers next summer as a result of cutbacks approved in last week's Budget. Minister for Finance, Brian Lenihan, proposed the abolition of the Teacher Supply Panel scheme last week as part of his package to cut EUR4bn in expenditure from the public purses...
600 public sector workers march on Dail over pay cuts - Evening Echo
17th December 2009
Angry unions have accused the Government of crashing social partnership and torching the wreckage with savage budget cuts. Around 600 public sector workers protested outside the Dail as TDs inside the Chamber prepared to slash their wages by up to 15%. Dublin-based teachers, nurses, firemen and civil servants carried banners from Mandate, INTO, PSEU and Impact as they demonstrated over savage cuts in last week's budgets...
Morning Mix - South East Radio - Alan Corcoran
16th December 2009
Sheila Nunan (Incoming General Secretary, INTO) discusses public sector strife over announced pay cuts in the 2010 Budget.
Pay cuts spark 'crash' warning - Star
16th December 2009
The Government had crashed the social partnership vehicle and torched the wreckage, a public service union official said last night. The claim came as large crowds gathered outside Leinster House to protest against across-the-board pay cuts in last week's Budget...
Unions picket Dail over cuts - Metro
16th December 2009
Angry unions last night accused the Government of crashing social partnership and torching the wreckage with sweeping Budget cuts. Around 600 public sector workers, including teachers, nurses, firemen and civil servants, protested outside the Dail as TDs inside prepared to cut their wages by up to 15 per cent...
Protesters picket Dail as cuts are debated - Irish Daily Mirror
16th December 2009
The Government was last night accused of raiding the pockets of nurses, teachers and gardai while wealthy bankers at Anglo will be exempt from the cuts...
Public servants vent anger at rally over 'unfairness' of Budget cuts - Irish Times
16th December 2009
Trade Unions have warned the Government that December 9th -Budget Day - will go down in history as "a day of infamy" and that public servants will never forget the measures introduced...
Dail extends its Christmas break because 'worst is over'- Irish Independent
16th December 2009
We've turned the corner. Weathered the tempest. Clawed our way out of the abyss. Found the brakes on the runaway bobsleigh. Like Pam Ewing waking up to find Bobby in the shower, the Government appears to be taken by the notion that the whole economic car-crash was all a bad dream...
Launch of children's mental health group - Irish Examiner
16th December 2009
Children with mental health issues are being failed at almost every turn, according to the newly formed Children’s Mental Health Coalition which was launched yesterday...
The Late Debate - RTE Radio 1 -Rachael English
15th December 2009
Studio panel discuss the recent Budget and public sector protests - Tony Foley (DCU Business School), Sheila Nunan (INTO), Michael O’Regan (Irish Times), Damien English TD (Fine Gael), Noel Treacy TD (Fianna Fail)...
Drivetime - RTE Radio 1 - Mary Wilson
15th December 2009
Teacher union preparing for New Year action against pay cuts - Interview: Sheila Nunan (INTO) [5:10pm]
One News - FM 104
15th December 2009
Teachers union prepares for sustained campaign in 2010 against pay cuts –Interview: Sheila Nunan (INTO)
BBC Radio's Morning Programme
15th December 2009
Anne English, teacher in Scoil San Treasa in Dublin and member of the INTO Education Committee provides a reaction to the budget...
Three News - Q102
15th December 2009
Thousands of public sector workers, including teachers, nurses and fire-fighters are expected to take to city streets this evening. Interview with Sheila Nunan, INTO.
Loose Talk - LMFM - Michael Reade Show
15th December 2009
Incoming General Secretary of the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation Sheila Nunan discusses protests in Dublin today against cuts to education and teachers’ pay...
One News - Clare FM
15th December 2009
Public sector unions are warning the government that its opening the door to a slow sustained period of industrial action is legislation to cut the pay of civil servants is passed through the Dail this week. Interview with Sheila Nunan, INTO.
National Lunchtime News - Today FM
15th December 2009
Public sector unions are warning the government that it’s letting itself in for a slow sustained period of industrial action if legislation to cut the pay of civil servants is passed through the Dail this week. Sheila Nunan INTO (interview). ..
Dublin's Talking - Dublin's Country Mix
15th December 2009
Sheila Nunan (Incoming General Secretary, INTO) discusses the demonstration organised in protest against cuts to public sector pay. Padraig Yates (SIPTU) joins the discussion.
Public sector workers in protest outside Dail - Star
15th December 2009
Thousands of public sector workers will protest outside the Dail tonight over being hit in the pockets in the Budget.
Nurses, teachers and firemen to protest cuts - Metro
15th December 2009
Thousands of public sector workers will protest outside the Dail tonight over Budget pay cuts. Dublin-based teachers, nurses, firemen and civil servants will voice their objections over the cuts, introduced in Finance Minister Brian Lenihan's Budget last week, while inside Leinster House TDs discuss the legislation to reduce their wages by between five and 15 percent...
Unions at semi-state companies angry over move to cut wages - Irish Examiner
15th December 2009
Thousands of public sector workers will protest outside the Dail tonight over being hit in the pockets in the budget.
Dublin-based teachers, nurses, firemen and civil servants will voice their objections over savage pay cuts while TDs inside discuss the legislation to slash their wages by between 5% and 15%. David Begg, General Secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) and Sheila Nunan, incoming General Secretary of the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO), will address members during the two-hour demonstration from 6pm to 8pm.
Teachers have knives out for Mac - The Kingdom
15th December 2009
Its a nightmare for any politician - an orchestrated campaign of opposition against turn, or her, from a well-organised and determined group. Kerry North Fianna Fail TD Thomas McEllistrim has been told by the Tralee branch of the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) not to expect any votes from the 337 houses they occupy in the next election, arising from budget cuts which are again seriously hitting the pay of public servants...
Public sector workers will fight to keep their wages in their pocket - Waterford News and Star
15th December 2009
Public sector workers in Waterford will be represented at a demonstration outside the Dail later this evening (Tuesday) to coincide with the debate on the legislation giving effect to the pay cuts announced in the Budget...
Teachers plan work-to-rule over cutbacks - Irish Independent
12th December 2009
Teachers are planning a work-to-rule in 4,000 schools and Institutes of Technology to show anger at Budget cuts. Details of the action will be worked out by leaders of the TUI, ASTI and INTO...
Teachers to lobby TDs on pay cuts - Irish Examiner
12th December 2009
Government backbenchers face the wrath of teachers whose four unions have asked their 65,000 members to lobby TDs this weekend against the public service pay cuts announced in Wednesday's budget. Along with 250,000 other public servants, teachers and college lecturers face cuts of at least 5% from January if the Government legislation to impose the cuts gets through the Dail on Tuesday and Wednesday, with protests planned at Leinster House from Tuesday evening...
Protests - Teachers to plan strikes - Irish Mirror
12th December 2009
Angry teachers last night said they were planning strike action in response to this week's Budget. The TUI, ASTI and INTO Executives met yesterday to discuss the public sector pay reductions mapped out by Brian Lenihan.
Six News - RTE One
11th December 2009
Teachers unions have met to consider action after the collapse of pay talks and recent budget...
Radio na Gaeltachta
Nuacht a hAon: Dé hAoine 11 Nollaig 2009
John Carr INTO ag rá go bhfuil stailc ar na bocáin.
On the QT - Q102 (Scott Williams)
11th December 2009
Tuesday’s protest against pay cuts, recent breakdown in talks with Government and budget issues discussed - Interview: Peter Mullan (INTO) on the impact for teachers.
One News - Q102 (Claire McGreal)
11th December 2009
Teachers are refusing to rule out strike action over pay cuts announced in the budget. Interview with Peter Mullan, INTO.
Teacher fears cuts will speed up 'brain drain' - Evening Echo
11th December 2009
A teacher whose annual household income is down almost EUR5,000 because of the budget cuts fears there will be an exodus from the profession similar to that of the 1980s. The gross salary of Hugh Cronin, a primary school teacher in Blarney, is down EUR2,250 because of the cuts, which amounts more than 6% of his pay...
Discussions on school reform are over, unions tell O'Keeffe - Irish Independent
11th December 2009
Teacher unions say they will not attend talks with Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe in the new year to discuss cost-saving reforms in schools and colleges...
Breakfast - Newstalk (Ivan Yates and Claire Byrne)
11th December 2009
Sheila Nunan, INTO, discusses recent speculation as to how teachers will retaliate against Budget 2010, including rumours of teachers putting a stop to extra-curricular activities in schools and disruption to the oral exams in March...
There must be a fairer way' - Irish Examiner
11th December 2009
An apartment in negative equity and being unable to afford a car have been made worse by the loss of about EUR100 a month for primary teacher Lisa McMunn...
Eleven News - 2FM & RTE 1
11th December 2009
The executives of the country’s main teaching unions are meeting this morning to decide whether or not to take industrial action in the new year. Peter Mullan, INTO (interview).
Teachers' pay cut by 6% but no increase in class size - Irish Times - Supplement
10th December 2009
The average pay of teachers will be cut by 6 per cent under the Budget measures announced yesterday. But, otherwise the education sector avoided the kind of draconian cuts evident elsewhere...
Protesters vent their anger outside Leinster House during Budget speech - Irish Times - Supplement
10th December 2009
The 300 or so demonstrators gathered outside the gates of Leinster House did not need to hear the Budget speech before beginning their protest...
News 5:30 - TV3
10th December 2009
Jenny McCudden reports on how teachers have been hit in the budget. Interview: Niamh Hickey (Teacher), Catherine Ryan (Teacher), Michael Gallagher (Principal)...
The Last Word - Today fm (Matt Cooper)
10th December 2009
Budget feedback * - Interview: Jack O’Connor (SIPTU) on prospects for strike action [4:40pm] * Eilis Quinlan (ISME) [4:45pm] * Ken O’Brien (Price Waterhouse Coopers) [5:26pm] * Effect on teachers – Interview: Pat Crowe (Teacher) [5:44]...
Three News - Newstalk (Jonathon Healy)
10th December 2009
News item: The heads of the four teaching unions have said that they will not be taking part in any talks with the government on the transformation agenda.
Cork Today - C103 (Patricia Messenger)
10th December 2009
Budget 2010: Peter Mullan (Irish National Teachers’ Organisation) discusses teachers’ reaction to the Budget. Decreases in public sector pay, changes to pensions and cuts in primary school building construction.
The Morning Show - TV3 (Brian Daly)
10th December 2009
Reaction to budget with particular reference to different sectors (50min): – Interview: Mairin Ni Cheileachair (Primary school teacher) on the effect on teachers...
Morning Focus - Clare FM (Marian Egan)
10th December 2009
Interview with Sean McMahon (INTO) who responds to the public sector cuts in yesterday’s budget.
Unions vow to fight pay cuts - Herald AM
10th December 2009
Unions lined up tonight to launch vicious attacks on the Government threatening months of angry disputes and strikes over pay cuts. With elite earners in State bodies losing 15pc of wages, Congress, Impact, teaching and nursing unions claimed middle-income workers would feel most pain...
Unions prepare for strike action - Examiner - Supplement
10th December 2009
Public sector unions have said social partnership is dead and told their members to prepare themselves for strikes. Union leaders said they were not prepared to accept what they see as a 14% pay cut in the space of less than a year for workers on low to middle incomes...
They said it... - Enniscorthy Echo
9th December 2009
Like Michael O'Leary's airports, Ireland's class sizes are miles away from where they should be. John Carr, General Secretary, Irish National Teacher's Organisation.
Prime Time - RTE One (Mark Little & Miriam O' Callaghan)
9th December 2009
Katie Hannon reports on some of the reaction to today's Budget across the public spectrum. Interview: Sheila Nunan (INTO), Mary Hanafin (Minister for Social & Family Affairs)...
RTE 1 Budget Coverage
9th December 2009
Budget 'does nothing to create employment' The Irish National Teachers' Organisation has said that public service workers and their families are to 'pay for Government's disastrous handling of the economy'...
Unions warn of “winter of discontent” - Newstalk
9th December 2009
Unions are warning of a ‘winter of discontent’ following yesterday’s announcement of public sector pay cuts of up to 20 per cent. The Irish National Teachers Organisation said Budget 20-10 is a second attack on teachers’ salaries.
Pat Kenny - RTE Radio 1 (Pat Kenny)
9th December 2009
Panel of Fr Peter McVerry, Mark Fielding (Chief Executive, ISME), Sheila Nunan (Incoming General Secretary, INTO) and Ed Walsh (Founding President, University of Limerick) preview today’s Budget in the areas of social welfare, public sector cuts, cuts in excise duty on alcohol, employment creation...
Teachers will not get assessed - Irish Examiner
9th December 2009
About 180 recently qualified primary teachers will not undergo their final assessment for professional recognition because of the impact of a recruitment ban on Department of Education inspector numbers. The Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) is to raise the problem with the inspectorate...
Honour Commitments - Union Post (Page 5)
December 2009
The Irish National Teachers Organisation has demanded Finance Minister Brian Lenihan put his money where his mouth is in this month’s Budget...
Teachers could have EUR500m in allowances cut - Irish Examiner
7th December 2009
INTO claims allowances are integral to salaries. Teachers could find allowances worth EUR500 million a year singled out for attention when Finance Minister Brian Lenihan takes a EUR1.3 billion axe to the public service pay bill on Wednesday...
Inside Education on 103.2 Dublin City FM
6th December 2009
Pre-budget wishlists from: Tony Donohoe (Irish Business and Empolyers Confederation - IBEC), Peter Mannion (President of the Union of Students in Ireland - USI), Anthony Ridgeway (School Completion Programme Coordinator), Peter Mullan (Irish National Teachers’ Organisation - INTO), Martin Quinn (National President of Muintir na Tíre)...
'We've had to cut back on everything' - Sunday Business Post
6th December 2009
Cork native Aine Corrigan is a primary school teacher with an 18-month-old son, Gerry. She and her husband, Paul, are finding it increasingly difficult to pay their household bills, having bought their home at the peak of the property market...
Threats of further strike action as partnership now dead' - Irish Independent
5th December 2009
Teacher unions reacted with fury last night to the breakdown of talks with the Government...
Saturday View - RTE Radio 1 (Rachael English)
5th December 2009
Studio panel discuss the latest in the public sector pay dispute - Senator Dan Boyle (Green Party), Ciaran O’ Donnell (Fine Gael), Jan O’ Sullivan (Labour Party), Sheila Nunan (Incoming General Secretary, INTO), Eoin Fahy (Chief Economist, KBC)...
Teacher unions say state lacked courage - Irish Examiner
5th December 2009
Teacher unions have warned of inevitable industrial unrest, with one leader accusing the Government of lacking moral courage to reach agreement on public service pay savings...
Public sector talks break down (video) - RTE News
4th December 2009
Martina Fitzgerald reports that despite the talks breakdown the Taoiseach remains hopeful about partnership..
Public sector pay talks break down - RTE News
4th December 2009
The Cabinet has rejected union proposals aimed at securing savings in the public sector pay bill without an across the board pay cut. Incoming INTO General Secretary Sheila Nunan said 'a once off opportunity has now been lost'...
Cork Today - C103 (Patricia Messenger)
3rd December 2009
Peter Mullan (Press Officer, Irish National Teachers’ Organisation) discusses the possible deal by the social partners for public sector workers to receive 12 days’ unpaid leave, and how this would apply to education workers.
Nuacht Radio na Gaeltachta
3rd December 2009
Deirbhile Nic Craith (Senior Official, INTO) talks about report that up to 25% of the school building fund remains unspent with less than a month of the financial year to go.
Pat Kenny - RTE Radio 1
2nd December 2009
Sheila Nunan (Incoming General Secretary, INTO), Jim Power (Chief Economist, Friends First), Liam Doran (General Secretary, INO) and John Kidd (Dublin Fire Brigade) discuss the public sector union talks and proposals [10:05am]...
Union to ballot members on pay talks - Irish Times
2nd December 2009
Teachers will be balloted on the outcome of the current talks with the Government, the Irish Nationalk Teachers Organisation (INTO) said last night. A spokesman said: “The INTO is a fully democratic organisation and every member is entitled to have their say. This will be done through established practices.”....
Beam me up, children - Irish Independent
2nd December 2009
It could be like any other chemistry class for Leaving Cert pupils at St Fintina's post-primary school in Longwood. But these students are perhaps unique: they have a virtual teacher...
Teachers' leave to be staggered to reduce impact - Irish Independent
2nd December 2009
Schools won't close but the most likely deal on unpaid leave for teachers will impact on pupil tuition over the next three years. Speaking after the meeting of the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) executive, incoming general secretary Sheila Nunan said sufficient progress had been made in the talks thus far to enable further talks with the Government to continue...
Breakfast on 4 - 4FM
2nd December 2009
Interview with Peter Mullen (PRO, INTO) who discusses the proposed national public sector pay deal and the current talks with government.
Kerry Today - Radio Kerry
2nd December 2009
Seamus Long (INTO) discusses the proposal of twelve days unpaid leave for teachers and the implications.
Massive disruption as public service workers vent anger at Government - Carlow People
1st December 2009
Public servants workers downed tools across Carlow last Tuesday morning and took to the streets to picket against pay cuts. There was massive disruption throughout the county as schools, hospitals, social welfare offices and local authorities shut down over government plans to slash the public sector pay bill...
Hundreds of public sector workers on Sligo picket lines - Sligo Weekender
1st December 2009
Hundreds of public sector workers manned picket lines around Sligo last Tuesday as part of the nationwide Day of Action organised by the Irish Congress of Trades Unions...