(Gaeilge) 2017-2018 Fulbright Irish Awards: Application Deadline 4pm, 28 October 2016
October 13, 2016
(Gaeilge) Dea-scéal fógartha sa Bhuiséad do Scoileanna Aon-Oide
October 12, 2016
BUDGET FAILS EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE
October 12, 2016
Tuesday 11 October 2016
Press Release of the Association of Childhood Professionals
Budget 2017 was a missed opportunity to avert the funding crisis that is currently stalking early childhood education and care provision.
The key priority in Budget 2017 should have been investment in frontline services to enable them to deliver high quality supports to young children and parents. In this respect the budget measures revealed today were a complete failure.
The government’s vision for Ireland to be one of the best small countries in the world in which to grow up and raise a family was not evident as required investment failed to materialise.
Current regulatory requirements mean that it is really expensive to provide high quality early education and care. Parents cannot afford this high cost but in the absence of substantial investment the shortfall is being supplemented through the poor pay and conditions of both early childhood providers and their employees.
With an average wage of little more than €10 per hour many in the early years workforce exist in relative poverty. There is a staffing crisis that is beginning to impact on the level of provision that is available to parents as the poor pay and conditions provide little incentive for the workforce to remain or to attract new entrants
The failure of the government to increase capitation levels means that the poor conditions within the profession remain and centres will continue to close. Obviously this will impact on the government’s capacity to deliver on promises made in Budget 2017.
The 1.4 weeks of non-contact time is a welcome development as it is a recognition that 15 hours of delivery requires additional time to plan, implement, review, document; engage with parents, multidisciplinary teams, inspectorates, mentors, compliance audits; cleaning and maintenance; administration; staff meetings; CPD; etc. However in the absence of substantial investment this gesture smacks of tokenism to a profession that has long been neglected and exploited.
The inclusion of the Affordable Childcare Scheme is a welcome measure for parents and children however members of the early years profession have little confidence that the funds allocated for this will be sufficient to cover the full costs of provision and remove them from relative poverty
Further information: Marian Quinn, Chairperson, Association of Childhood Professionals: The professional body representing practitioners in early years and school age care and education
086 1984431
(Gaeilge) Tionól Teagaisc 2016
October 11, 2016
(Gaeilge) Comórtas náisiúnta dearadh póstaer don dráma Ardteiste ‘An Triail’
October 10, 2016
(Gaeilge) Scléip 2017 – spriocdáta ag teannadh linn !
October 10, 2016
(Gaeilge) Dúil sa Ghaeilge … Dúil sa Bhia … ní gá féachaint níos faide ná Scoil Chócaireachta an Daingin!
October 10, 2016
Gaeloideachas – a new name for Gaelscoileanna Teo.
October 10, 2016
A new name for the organisation Gaelscoileanna Teo. was announced today at the official launch of their Education Conference in Kilkenny, organised in partnership with COGG.
At an Extraordinary General Meeting on October 9th, members of Gaelscoileanna Teo. voted to adopt the name Gaeloideachas – Guth don Oideachas lán-Ghaeilge agus Gaeltachta (A voice for Irish-medium and Gaeltacht Education) as the organisation’s new name. It recognises the organisation’s broad remit; Irish-medium primary and post-primary schools both in Gaeltacht areas and outside of them, as well as Irish-medium preschool services in non-Gaeltacht areas.
Speaking after the meeting, the organisation’s President, Cathnia Ó Muircheartaigh, said “we’re very grateful to our members for their participation in the consultations around the change of our name. Their involvement in the discussions demonstrated how important an issue this was for them and as an organisation, we’re delighted to be able to recognise members’ desire for a more inclusive and representative name”. With regards to the organisation’s brand, he said “while we recognise that Gaelscoileanna Teo. is a strong brand, we’re confident that the organisation will go from strength to strength with the new name”.
The Mayor of Kilkenny, Patrick O’Neill, will officially launch the Gaeloideachas and COGG’s Education Conference this afternoon at an event to showcase some of what will be on offer on November 11th and 12th in the city. Speaking about the Conference, the Gaeloideachas public relations officer, Seán Ó hArgáin, said that “it’s a great honour for the Cultural City of Kilkenny to be chosen as the venue for this year’s Education Conference. We’re expecting more than 300 delegates from all over Ireland to attend over the two days, to take part in professional development, networking and social events.”
To register for the conference, click here.
(Gaeilge) ‘Dearcadh úr’ ag teastáil ón Roinn Oideachais maidir le maoiniú Gaelscoileanna – an tAire Oideachais
October 6, 2016
(Gaeilge) Ó Pheann an Phiarsaigh ar camchuairt i nDeisceart na Tíre an tseachtain seo
October 5, 2016
