September 2011
INTO in the Media
City schools among the most overcrowded in the country - Galway City Tribune
30th September 2011
Children are losing out on a proper education in classes of more than 30....Figures released this week show that 80% of primary pupils in Galway City and County are in classes which are bigger than the EU average, while a sixth of all pupils are attending classes of more than 30 children. The INTO has described the figures as "shocking" and accused the Government of failing to tackle the overcrowding problem...
Education Cutbacks Hitting Donegal Hardest - Donegal News
30th September 2011
A leading school principal has hit out at education cutbacks that are 'sinking the life opportunity' for the most vulnerable pupils such as children with special needs, travellers and pupils from other countries...An INTO report released earlier this week show primary schools across Donegal are among the most overcrowded in the country...
Galway schools listed among the most overcrowded in the country - Connacht Tribune
30th September 2011
Children in Co Galway are losing out on educational opportunities because primary schools in the county are among the most overcrowded in the entire country…."I would describe these figures as a wake-up call for the parents of Co. Galway's 20,000 primary school pupils in advance of the next Budget," said INTO general secretary Sheila Nunan…
More than 80% of Clare children in overcrowded classrooms - Clare Champion
30th September 2011
Primary schools in Clare are among the most overcrowded in the country, it was claimed this week. The general secretary of the INTO, Sheila Nunan, described the figures as shocking and said the Government was not tackling the problem of overcrowded classes, which was getting worse particularly in urban areas and commuter counties...
Kilkenny's primary schools among most overcrowded in country - INTO - Kilkenny People
30th September 2011
New figures published on Monday showed that nearly 90% of pupils in Kilkenny schools are in classes of 20 or more. While 27% of pupils are in classes of more than 30 children. The figures are the latest available official figures on Irish class sizes. The general secretary of the INTO Sheila Nunan described the figures as shocking and said the government was not tackling the problem of overcrowded classes which was getting worse particularly in urban areas and commuter counties. In 2007, 21% of pupils in Limerick were in classes of more than thirty. Today that figure has risen to 27...
17% of Leitrim schools above EU average - Leitrim Observer
30th September 2011
17% of classes in Leitrim primary schools are above the European average. Latest figures nationally show that one in five pupils are in classes of more than 30 - with our class sizes now the second largest in the EU. Most of the overcrowded classes are in urban areas. The Irish National Teachers Organisation says the figures are "shocking" and a "wake up call" for parents in advance of the next budget...
Increase in class sizes throughout the county - Longford Leader
30th September 2011
According to the latest figures on class sizes published by the Department of Education and Skills, nearly eighty percent of pupils in Longford primary schools are in classes of twenty or more while close to one fifth (eighteen percent) are in classes of more than thirty children: Helen O'Gorman, Principal St Mary's NS Edgeworthstown said that while the situation within the county was "not the worst case scenario", if not managed correctly, "there would be major concerns for the future"...
Lunchtime Show - Newstalk
30th September 2011
New Pension Laws. Jonathon Healy discusses the proposed new pension laws and plays an interview with Minister Eamon Gilmore an event at UCC. Noel Ward (Deputy General Secretary, INTO) discusses their position along with ASTI on the proposed laws.
Midlands Today - Midlands 103
30th September 2011
Pensions. Noreen Flynn (President, INTO) discusses the unions objection to the proposed legislation to change the pensions of civil services, including teachers.
Teachers attack 'larcenous' and 'unjust' plans for public pension reform - thejournal.ie
30th September 2011
Teachers’ unions are considering a legal challenge to the government’s new proposals for wholesale reform of public pensions, announced by Public Expenditure minister Brendan Howlin yesterday....On this morning’s Morning Ireland, Shiela Nunan of the primary teachers’ union INTO said it was also opposed to the new proposals, arguing that they would make “no difference to the current economic circumstances”. “It most certainly is unfair, and we’ll be joining with our colleagues in the ASTI on this one,” Nunan said, describing the proposals as “unjust”....
Government proposes 'far-reaching transformation' of public sector pensions - thejournal.ie
30th September 2011
The changes, announced today by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin, are to be applied to all new entrants into the public service, who will have their pension calculated on a career average basis rather than on the current final salary at the time of retirement. The changes have already been criticised by one union....The changes have been criticised by the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) which said the Bill would force future teachers to pay more into their pensions than they will get out. “This will mean in effect new teachers will fund the full cost of their pensions,” a statement said adding that the claim of savings of €1.8 billion were “highly speculative”....
Pension changes 'larcenous', say teacher unions - Irish Times
30th September 2011
Howlin says scheme will benefit lower grades. New pensions legislation which aims to cut the cost of the public sector pension bill by 35 per cent has been described as "larcenous" and illegal by the main unions representing teachers....The Irish National Teachers' Organisation condemned the Bill as "unfair, unnecessary and "probably illegal". Teachers would end up contributing more to their pension scheme than they got out of it, the INTO and Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland suggested...
Union brands public pensions overhaul 'theft' - Irish Examiner
30th September 2011
An overhaul of public pensions which will save taxpayers EUR1.8 billion was described as theft by teachers representatives....Primary teachers union INTO condemned the move. General secretary Sheila Nunan said: "There will be no net benefit from being in a pension scheme as many teachers will pay in far more than they will ever get out. This situation may be open to legal challenge, especially since membership is compulsory. It is larcenous"
Plan to cut public service pensions - Irish Daily Mail
30th September 2011
Unions prepare to fight 'illegal and larcenous' move....The proposals were met with a wall of anger from unions last night. Sheila Nunan, General Secretary of the INTO, described the measures in the Bill as 'unfair, unnecessary and probably unlawful'. She said: 'Many teachers will pay in far more than they will ever get out... It is larcenous.'...
Pension plans 'probably unlawful': INTO - RTE News/Ireland
30th September 2011
The Irish National Teachers' Organisation says a new pension scheme for future public servants is unjust and potentially unlawful...
Morning Ireland - RTE Radio 1
30th September 2011
Public Sector Pensions
Teacher unions ASTI and INTO respond angrily to government plans to cut public service pensions. Excerpt of Minister Brendan Howlin speaking yesterday in response to comments made the INTO General Secretary. Interview with Sheila Nunan (General Secretary, INTO)
Nine News - FM104
30th September 2011
Child Abuse. From today, all primary schools must teach the Stay Safe programme. Interview with Deirdre OConnor (INTO)
Nine News - 2FM
30th September 2011
Public Sector Pensions. The INTO says a new pensions scheme for future public servants is unjust and potentially unlawful. Sheila Nunan, General Secretary INTO comment
Nine News - Q102
30th September 2011
Clerical Abuse. All primary schools must educate students about abuse from today. Interview with Deirdre OConnor (INTO)
82% of Tipp Pupils in Classes of 20 or More - Tipperary Star
29th September 2011
Almost a seventh of Tipperary's 18,000 primary school pupils are in classes of thirty or more....Ms Nunan said today's figures did not include nearly 10,000 pupils in primary schools with special needs most of whom are integrated into these classes. She described talk of increasing class size in primary schools as "foisting austerity on the young". "Most children in primary school this year were not even born when the seeds of economic mismanagement were sown," she said. "They should not be expected to pay the price of keeping banks on life support machines."
Quotes of the Week - Donegal Democrat
29th September 2011
"I know classes are getting bigger. I know with the number of classes lined up in the yard, that the number of lines are becoming fewer and the number of children is growing." - Anne McGowan, chairperson of the Letterkenny Branch of the INTO on class sizes today.
Six One News / Nine News / News on Two - RTE
29th September 2011
Public Service Pensions
The primary teachers' union the INTO has attacked government plans for a new public service pension scheme. Ingrid Miley reports
350 fewer resource teachers - Irish Examiner
29th September 2011
Schools have 350 fewer teachers to help rising numbers of students with learning difficulties than before the summer holidays....the INTO called for applications to be processed as soon as possible....
Wicklow schools have worst overcrowding - Bray People
28th September 2011
INTO release results of new survey Wicklow…INTO General Secretary Sheila Nunan says the Government are failing...'When class numbers are reasonable, modern teaching methods are possible and there is more teacher time for children...
Louth primary schools are amongst the most overcrowded in country –
Drogheda Independent
28th September 2011
Primary schools in Louth are among the most overcrowded in the country....Ms Nunan said there is widespread agreement that younger children do not do as well in over-crowded classes...
Wicklow schools have worst overcrowding - Wicklow People
28th September 2011
...The official pupil-teacher ratio in Ireland is set to rise from 29 to 30 under Government plans. INTO General Secretary Sheila Nunan says the Government are failing to act in an effort to tackle the problem of overcrowding in the classroom...
Leinster House - Clare County Express
28th September 2011
In Education the I.N.T.O. stated it will fight any proposals to increase class sizes claiming it will affect children's education and in particular slow learners with protests likely...
Local News & Concerns - Clare County Express
28th September 2011
The I.N.T.O. in Clare is to step up campaign on increased class sizes...
City schools not as badly overcrowded as in county - Limerick Chronicle
27th September 2011
Limerick INTO representative Joe Lyons has appealed to Education Minister Ruairi Quinn not to increase class sizes, saying it would only harm Ireland's economic prospects in the long-term...
Kildare classes amongst the biggest in Europe - Kildare Post
27th September 2011
...The Irish National Teachers Organisation describe the figures as "shocking" and "a wake-up call for parents" in advance of the next Budget.
Overcrowded classrooms among worst in country - Laoise Nationalist
27th September 2011
In its statement, INTO say that 90% of primary pupils in Laois are in classes greater than the EU average of 20 pupils to a class. It also says that 20% of primary school pupils in Laois are in classes of more than 30 children...
Classroom Crisis - Donegal People's Press
27th September 2011
Over eighty per cent of primary school pupils in Donegal are in classrooms bigger than the EU average...The INTO says the figures are shocking and show that the government is not tackling the problem of overcrowded classes...
Overcrowding is a problem for Mayo pupils - Union - Mayo News
27th September 2011
...The INTO called the figures "a wake-up call for the parents of Mayo's 14,000 primary school pupils" in advance of the next budget. In 2007, 15 per cent of pupils in Mayo were in classes of more than thirty. Today that figure has risen to 16.1 per cent.
Pupil teacher ratio among EU highest - Clare People
27th September 2011
Primary schools across Clare are now among the most overcrowded in Europe, damning statistics secured by The Clare People this week have revealed....Meanwhile, INTO general secretary Sheila Nunan described the figures as "shocking" and represent "a wake-up call for the parents of Clare's 13,000 primary school pupils in advance of the 2011 budget"...
Kerry Today - Radio Kerry
27th September 2011
Class sizes. One-seventh of Kerry's 15,000 primary school pupils are in classes of thirty or more, according to new figures. Margaret Bernard (INTO) discusses the numbers.
Class size shock - Evening Echo
27th September 2011
New figures published today show that nearly 90% of pupils in Cork primary schools are in classes of 20 or more. Twenty six percent of pupils are in classes of more than 30 children. The general secretary of the INTO Sheila Nunan described today's figures as 'shocking'...
Michael Reade Show - LMFM
26th September 2011
Class Sizes. Peter Mullan (Press Officer, INTO) discusses the recent figures released looking at class sizes in comparison with the EU average.
Let's Talk - Shannonside
26th September 2011
Class sizes. INTO is highlighting concerns at class sizes in primary schools across the Shannonside region. Interview with Noel Ward (INTO)
News at One - Northern Sound
26th September 2011
Class size. Primary schools in Cavan are among the most overcrowded in the country. Mentions that the INTO's Sheila Nunan says the government is not tackling the problem of overcrowded classes.
Tipp Today - Tipp FM
26th September 2011
Class Sizes. New figures published by the INTO show that 82% of pupils in Tipperary are in classes of 20 or more. Noel Ward (Deputy General Secretary, INTO) discusses the figures.
85per cent of primary pupils 'in classes larger than EU average' - thejournal.ie
26th September 2011
...Figures, released by the INTO, show that Wicklow has the most overcrowded classrooms, with 28.2 per cent of pupils in classes with 30 students or more, and with only 9 per cent of pupils in classes of 20 or lower...
Class sizes second largest in EU 'Shocking' school figures will worsen after Budget - Irish Independent
26th September 2011
More than eight in 10 primary school children are in classes that are bigger than the EU average and it is expected to get worse after the next Budget. The INTO describe the figures as "shocking" and "a wake-up call for parents"...
Nine News - FM104
26th September 2011
Class Sizes. New figures out today show 86% of children in our citys primary schools are in classes of 20 or more. Quote from Sheila Nunan (INTO)
1,000 primary teachers out of work due to cutbacks, says INTO - Irish Times
23rd September 2011
More than 1,000 qualified primary teachers are without work due to education cutbacks, according to the INTO. Yesterday, more than 100 unemployed primary teachers attended a specially convened meeting in Dublin organised by the union...
Teachers' unions form partnership - Irish Independent
23rd September 2011
Unions representing 375,000 teachers across the UK have launched an "historic" partnership aimed at strengthening their links ahead of the "challenges" they face.....Sheila Nunan, general secretary of INTO, said: "This agreement will strengthen existing links and co-operation between the four unions, and will be of great benefit to teachers. By working more closely together all of the unions will be better-placed to meet the significant challenges facing teachers."
Internships come under more scrutiny as teaching jobs offered - Industrial Relations News
22nd September 2011
The validity of some job offers under the Government's internship scheme is set to come under more scrutiny following IRN's revelation that a primary school has offered places to teachers....An INTO spokesperson said the union had serious concerns about education cutbacks, which have resulted in more than 700 teaching jobs lost in primary schools...
Teachers earn 12% less than majority of graduates - Tipperary Star
22nd September 2011
Teachers Earn 12% Less than Majority of Graduates Education at a Glance 2011 published by the OECD shows that on average Irish teachers earn less than workers with similar education levels and years of experience in Ireland. Teachers in Ireland earn on average 88% of the income of workers with similar education levels in Ireland, says the local branch of the INTO...
Students with chronic health conditions top teachers' lists for September - Waterford Today
21st September 2011
As the new school year kicks off to a flying September start, a new resource pack for supporting pupils with a chronic condition during school hours was launched last week....INTO President, Noreen Flynn said "Primary schools will welcome this new resource pack. Although schools have gone to huge lengths to help children with a serious health condition to cope in school, it is important to update guidelines and learn from best practice....
Education report welcomed by Meath teacher - Meath News and Sport
17th September 2011
A World Economic Forum report that shows Ireland to have the 11th best primary school system in the world has been welcomed by a Meath Irish National Teachers Organisation delegate, who said that despite savage government cuts teachers in the county were continuing to deliver. Colin Quigley said the Global Competitiveness Report 2010 -2011 by the World Economic Forum proved that children were going to secondary schools very well prepared...
Record number of unemployed teachers - Limerick Leader
17th September 2011
Teachers have their mobiles on at all times hoping to get a text about a job...Joe Lyons, Limerick INTO press officer, said one principal in Limerick told him he advertised a full-time position last Summer and received 800 applications....
Overcrowded primary schools above average in Limerick - Limerick Post
17th September 2011
"Figures show that efforts made in recent years to reduce class numbers in busy city schools, have been completely reversed" Limerick primary school classes are bursting at the seams, with class numbers way in excess of the average for schools in other parts of the country. Limerick INTO representative and school principal, Joe Lyons, said that the shameful figures are the inevitable result of education policies....
Bankers get 10 extra days paid leave for marriage - Irish Examiner
16th September 2011
Officials at three bailed-out banks receive up to 10 extra paid days leave to get married - higher than anywhere in the civil service....Ireland's largest teachers' union, the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) has defended the arrangement, claiming its members "lack the flexibility" other workers enjoy and, therefore, need the extra time to prepare to get married...
Deise AM - WLR
15th September 2011
INTO - Peter Mullan (Irish National Teacher Association) discusses the issue of teachers and public service workers getting time off for marriage
Limerick Today - Limerick's Live 95FM
14th September 2011
Teacher Unemployment. The INTO have said teacher unemployment is currently at record levels and that education cuts are increasing class sizes. Joe Lyons (Limerick Representative, INTO) discusses, mention of maths, marriage leave and Special Needs Assistants.
Teachers here paid €15k above average - Irish Daily Mail
14th September 2011
Our teachers are among the highest paid in the world, earning 15,000 more than their peers elsewhere. Those in primary schools rank second highest when it comes to wages while second-level teachers were the third or fourth top earners among those surveyed. The figures are based on an OECD survey across 33 countries...But INTO General Secretary Sheila Nunan said: 'The report by the OECD shows that on average, Irish teachers earn less than workers with similar education levels and years experience in Ireland.' In such cases, teachers here earn 12 per cent less than those with similar educational backgrounds. She said: 'They do less well then similarly qualified graduates.'
Revealed: True extent of the crisis in Maths - Irish Independent
14th September 2011
Deep-rooted problems in the teaching of maths are revealed today heaping further pressure on Education Minister Ruairi Quinn. Performance in Junior Cert maths and science - published today - remain a cause of concern overall. And a new report from a prestigious international think-tank says our problems with maths start at primary school level. It found there is less teaching time in both subjects in our schools compared with other countries in the developed world...The Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) said more time for maths teaching had to be accompanied by proper teaching resources...
TUI claims findings are only of 'archaeological' relevance - Irish Times
14th September 2011
....The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation said on average Irish teachers earn less than workers with similar education levels and years of experience in Ireland. Teachers in Ireland, it said, earned on average 88 per cent of the income of workers with similar education levels in Ireland. While the report showed Irish teachers on average earning above Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development levels of salary, they do less well than similarly qualified graduates in Ireland, the INTO said. At primary level, the report shows Irish teachers teaching 20 per cent longer than the EU average...
Teachers take 7 days paid marriage leave - Irish Examiner
14th September 2011
Teachers are entitled to take an extra seven days paid leave to get married under a decades-old deal...An Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) spokesman said "a relatively high number of applications for marriage could be anticipated" as half of Ireland's teachers are aged between 20 and 40. However, he added that "half of 1% of teachers applying for marriage leave during school time is relatively small". "While teachers' holidays are relatively good they lack the flexibility that many other workers enjoy. As a consequence the unions negotiated a period of marriage leave to facilitate arrangements during the school year. In general, cover is provided by a teaching colleague or colleagues at school level."...
How teachers say 'I do' to seven day holiday to marry - Evening Herald
14th September 2011
Teacher brides and grooms-to-be can take an extra seven days away from the classroom to plan their weddings. In an agreement that dates back to the 1970s, teachers get uncounted holidays to walk down the aisle. The Department of Education and Skills has admitted that almost 300 teachers have taken an extra seven days additional leave in recent years due to the decades-old deal. The controversial deal which was negotiated in the 1970s and 1980s - allows teachers to take the time off in the days surrounding their wedding, "subject to approval by school management"... A spokesperson for the Irish National Teachers Organisation said the number applying for marriage during school time equates to less than lpc...
Teachers report 'beyond historic' - Irish Examiner
14th September 2011
Irish teachers have criticised a report which says they are among the best paid in the world as "beyond historic" . The OECD report, Education at a Glance, says Irish primary school teachers are the second highest paid among 33 OECD countries, while secondary teachers are third or fourth highest paid....General secretary of the Irish National Teachers Organisation Sheila Nunan said: "At primary level, the report shows Irish teachers teaching 20% longer than the EU-21 average, the third highest of 31 countries. On average Irish teachers teach three additional pupils per class and Irish classes remain the second highest in the EU. "In addition, Ireland's spending on non-teaching staff in schools is significantly lower than the OECD average," she added...
Topmarks for new school health pack - Examiner - Supplement
9th September 2011
Guidelines which will inform teachers about how to deal with chronic illness in the classroom have been welcomed by children and parents...When nine-year-old Jack Mitman heads off to school each morning, his mother Gina waves goodbye - and wonders if this will be the day he gets a major anaphylaxis attack....With the support of the Irish National Teachers Organisation, a one-minute DVD on managing each condition at school is also available on www.into.ie...
Cash-strapped parents face an eight-week wait on school funds - Irish Independent
5th September 2011
Struggling families seeking financial help as their children head back to school face a wait of up to eight weeks....A spokesman for the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) said a number of principals have noticed children returning without uniforms as their parents are under severe financial pressure. "They noticed a number were back at school without a uniform. They were turning a blind eye to it," he said...
Staunch union representative of North's teachers - Irish Times
3rd September 2011
Frank Bunting championed the cause of the North's teachers over the past 20 years in his role as Northern secretary of the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO). Those were years of change in education, with teachers at the sharp end. Bunting energetically fought their corner...
It's back to school time - Irish Farmers Journal
3rd September 2011
Healthy tips for school-going children, including how your teenager should carry that bag properly, how to get your children to eat their lunch, what's free in terms of medical care in school and some footwear facts. "Carrying heavy bags for a long time or distance isn't good for anyone, least of all children," says Sioghan Guiry, president of the Chiropractic Association of lreland....Does your child have a serious allergy, asthma, epilepsy or diabetes and need medication during the school day? Talk to the principal and teachers prior to starting school if this is the case, says the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO)...
SNA cuts hit hard - Clare Champion
2nd September 2011
Primary school provides the foundation stone for every child's progress through the education system. It's important that each and every child has equal opportunity to fully engage in and benefit from the primary system....Irish National Teachers' Union (INTO) representative, Sean McMahon has warned the 13% cut in the number of SNAs in Clare from 279 to 243 whole time equivalents would lead to significantly reduced hours for special needs children who need support to cope in mainstream education...
First Day of School
irishtimes.com video report on children starting junior infants at Mater Dei Primary School on Basin Lane in Dublin 8.
The Last Word - Today FM
1st September 2011
Teaching. Interview with Sheila Nunan (INTO) who discusses the number of unqualified primary school teachers working in Ireland.
Midwest Radio - Tommy Marren
1st September 2011
Unqualified Teachers. Interview: Noreen Flynn (President, INTO) on unqualified teachers being hired to take classes in schools and the directive sent to national schools on the issue
Respected trade unionist mounred - Belfast Telegraph
1st September 2011
Teachers, former pupils, trade unionists and family and friends have gathered to mourn the passing of schools campaigner Frank Bunting...
INTO issues strike threat over unqualified people - Irish Examiner
1st September 2011
Primary schools should have hundreds more qualified teachers in place this year as strike warnings issue to schools about employing unqualified people. The Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) decided in April to ban its 35,000 members from this month from working alongside anybody given teaching work who was not qualified to do so...