Podcasts about fionnan sheahan

In this episode of If I were the Minister for Education, I break down what happened after projected SNA allocations for the 2026/27 school year showed roughly 200 schools set to lose at least one Special Needs Assistant: not due to cuts or clerical error, but because of how the national redistribution model works under a capped total. I explain the background to the current situation, including the long period where schools largely held on to allocations since around 2017, the return of NCSE-led reviews from 2023 onward, and how this year's broader round of reviews led to some schools being told they had more SNAs than the model allowed. I talk through the predictable political cycle that followed: schools and parents mobilised, pressure built, the Minister “paused” the process, additional funding was announced (€19 million), and the government confirmed no school would lose an SNA this year. While I'm relieved for schools, principals and SNAs facing uncertainty, I argue that pausing-and-funding responses don't fix the underlying pattern and that we're likely to repeat the same crisis again. I also say I feel sorry for the NCSE in this instance because they became the visible face of a policy they were implementing, and I argue the real issue sits higher up the chain. I then outline what I see as the structural problem: Ireland's primary schools are publicly funded but privately managed individual entities competing for enrolment, staff and survival, while staffing supports (SNA posts and SET hours) are allocated through a national, projection-based redistribution model. I describe how redistribution creates concentrated losers and dispersed winners, making it politically fragile, and I connect this to the annual “cluster games” around SET allocations. Finally, I set out the kind of structural change I think is needed: moving away from competition as the organising principle by exploring regional employment and local coordination through education authorities, because I don't believe repeated annual firefighting counts as planning. I also reference additional writing and commentary, including an Irish Independent piece by Fionnan Sheahan and analysis by Ciara Reilly, and I point listeners toward my Substack articles for more.00:00 Welcome and Subscribe00:47 SNA Allocations Fallout02:30 How the SNA Model Works04:28 From Freeze to Reviews07:59 Backlash and the Pause09:11 Predictable Crisis Cycle10:03 Relief and Real Stakes12:19 Why NCSE Took the Heat14:06 Schools Compete to Survive17:09 Redistribution vs Competition18:25 SET Cluster Games Parallel22:42 Politics and Concentrated Anger29:29 What Would Actually Change33:16 Final Thoughts and Goodbye This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonmlewis.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of If I were the Minister for Education, I break down what happened after projected SNA allocations for the 2026/27 school year showed roughly 200 schools set to lose at least one Special Needs Assistant: not due to cuts or clerical error, but because of how the national redistribution model works under a capped total. I explain the background to the current situation, including the long period where schools largely held on to allocations since around 2017, the return of NCSE-led reviews from 2023 onward, and how this year's broader round of reviews led to some schools being told they had more SNAs than the model allowed. I talk through the predictable political cycle that followed: schools and parents mobilised, pressure built, the Minister “paused” the process, additional funding was announced (€19 million), and the government confirmed no school would lose an SNA this year. While I'm relieved for schools, principals and SNAs facing uncertainty, I argue that pausing-and-funding responses don't fix the underlying pattern and that we're likely to repeat the same crisis again. I also say I feel sorry for the NCSE in this instance because they became the visible face of a policy they were implementing, and I argue the real issue sits higher up the chain. I then outline what I see as the structural problem: Ireland's primary schools are publicly funded but privately managed individual entities competing for enrolment, staff and survival, while staffing supports (SNA posts and SET hours) are allocated through a national, projection-based redistribution model. I describe how redistribution creates concentrated losers and dispersed winners, making it politically fragile, and I connect this to the annual “cluster games” around SET allocations. Finally, I set out the kind of structural change I think is needed: moving away from competition as the organising principle by exploring regional employment and local coordination through education authorities, because I don't believe repeated annual firefighting counts as planning. I also reference additional writing and commentary, including an Irish Independent piece by Fionnan Sheahan and analysis by Ciara Reilly, and I point listeners toward my Substack articles for more.00:00 Welcome and Subscribe00:47 SNA Allocations Fallout02:30 How the SNA Model Works04:28 From Freeze to Reviews07:59 Backlash and the Pause09:11 Predictable Crisis Cycle10:03 Relief and Real Stakes12:19 Why NCSE Took the Heat14:06 Schools Compete to Survive17:09 Redistribution vs Competition18:25 SET Cluster Games Parallel22:42 Politics and Concentrated Anger29:29 What Would Actually Change33:16 Final Thoughts and Goodbye This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonmlewis.substack.com/subscribe

House prices are now more than 20% above the 2007 peak. Demand is high. Supply is short. So where does that leave would-be homeowners?Crowds gather outside The Hoxton Hotel as a legal row over late-night DJs sparks a bigger question – is Dublin becoming a city for tourists first and residents second?And we break down the runners and riders in the Dublin Central by-election.With Mary Fitzpatrick, Rory Hearne and Fionnan Sheahan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Report from Una Kelly & Fionnan Sheahan, Ireland Editor for the Irish Independent.

The Dáil resumes tomorrow with the first session of 2026.So time to mark our cards: what issues are the Government facing this term?Fionnan Sheahan is Ireland Editor with the Irish Independent, and joins Ciara to discuss.

Fionnan Sheahan, Ireland Editor with the Irish Independent, on what's next for Fianna Fáil following the publication of the review into the presidential election campaign.

Could the review into the Fianna Fáil's handling of their Presidential nominations come out this week?There are those within Fianna Fáil who are saying it must come out this week, before Christmas.Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss is Fionnan Sheahan, Ireland Editor with the Irish Independent and Michael Regan, Fianna Fáil Councillor in Galway.

Fionnan Sheahan, Ireland Editor with the Irish Independent, looks ahead to tomorrow's visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Fionnan Sheahan, Irish Independent, discusses Ivan Yates appearance at the Oireachtas Communications Committee.

Fionnan Sheahan, Ireland Editor with the Irish Independent, on the news of Jim Gavin withdrawing from the Presidential Election race and what led him to this decision.

Billy Kelleher, Former MEP, reacts to the news that Jim Gavin has dropped out of the Presidential race. Fionnan Sheahan, Ireland Editor with the Irish Independent, responds to Billy Kelleher's interview.

With Sinn Féin's decision to back Catherine Connolly, the presidential field may now be set though Maria Steen is still pursuing a place in the race. Fionnan Sheahan, Ireland Editor with the Irish Independent, gives his analysis.

Jim Gavin has been nominated by Fianna Fáil for the Irish Presidency, beating out MEP Billy Kelleher in a vote today. And, with Taoiseach Micheal Martin backing the candidate who lost the vote, what does it tell us about the party's faith in his leadership?Kieran is joined by Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher as well as Newstalk's Political Correspondent Seán Defoe to discuss the nomination, and later Fionnan Sheahan, Ireland Editor with the Irish Independent and Ivan Yates, former Government Minister, join to discuss what this could mean for the future of the party.

Fionnan Sheahan, Irish Independent, discusses the merits of Heather Humphreys becoming Fine Gael's candidate for President.

The Dáil ends this week – so who are the biggest winners and losers of this Dáil term?Sarah McGuinness, Political Correspondent for the Irish Daily Mail and Ireland Editor for the Irish Independent, Fionnan Sheahan, join Kieran to discuss.

*This podcast was originally recorded in February 2023* On Thursday in Dublin, Gardaí arrested a man in relation to the murder of Annie McCarrick, who went missing on March 26, 1993. There they searched at a home in Clondalkin but have stressed that the current residents of this home are not connected in anyway with Annie McCarrick or her disappearance. Today on this Indo Daily Extra; we replay extracts from an interview recorded in February 2023, as Fionnan Sheahan spoke to Claire McGowan, crime fiction writer and author of the Vanishing Triangle, the Murdered Women Ireland Forgot, about the disappearance of Annie McCarrick. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On The Tonight Show with Kieran CuddihyRTÉ executives say they weren't made aware of a €3.6 million write-down over a failed IT project until February.Appearing before an Oireachtas committee, the Director General also hit back at what he called "inaccurate" reporting around a leaked news promo — saying extras were used and the final cost will be under €100,000. Meanwhile, the Dáil rejected a Sinn Féin motion that sought to block the Central Bank from approving the sale of Israeli ‘war bonds'. It was defeated 87–75, though two independents who support the government — Barry Heneghan and Gillian Toole — voted in favour.Also, concerns are rising over access to U.S. college places after the Trump administration paused student visas and considers tougher social media screening.

Seamus McGrath, Fianna Fáil TD for Cork South Central // Joanna Byrne, Sinn Féin TD for Louth // Sinéad O'Carroll, Editor of the Journal.ie // Fionnan Sheahan, Ireland Editor with the Irish Independent

Fionnan Sheahan, Ireland Editor with the Irish and Sunday Independent

Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy faces a vote on motion of confidence in the Dáil today, Barry Heneghan has asked for a seat swap to get away from Michael Lowry and of course tariffs will be on todays agenda too.To look ahead to a busy day in the Dáil was Fionnan Sheahan, Ireland Editor at the Irish Independent.

Conor McGregor visits the White House and claims to be speaking for the people of Ireland when it comes to immigration issues, the Government have distanced themselves from the comments. Ivan spoke to Fionnan Sheahan about the visit and reaction.

Fionnan Sheahan, Ireland Editor of the Irish Independent joined Pat this morning for the political roundup of the week. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Tánaiste Micheál Martin are set to meet in Liverpool today. After a chaotic week in global politics, they have much to discuss ahead of Martin's visit to the White House.

Fionnan Sheahan, Ireland Editor with the Irish Independent // Sarah Firth, Freelance Foreign Correspondent in Washington // Roland Oliphant, Chief Foreign Correspondent, Telegraph // David O'Sullivan, EU's sanctions envoy

Fionnan Sheahan, Ireland Editor with the Irish Independent on the political fallout of the new programme for government.

With the new government formation official, so comes with it the Programme for Government, laying out what they plan to do.Fionnan Sheahan, Ireland Editor for the Irish Independent, joins Kieran to go through the biggest things to know from the document.

Fionnan Sheahan, Ireland Editor at the Irish Independent Group, discusses the suspension of newly elected TD Eoin Hayes from the Social Democrats and other political matters.

Fionnan Sheahan, Ireland Editor of the Irish Independent & Theresa Reidy Political Scientist at University College Cork.

Conor McGregor entered the witness box in the sixth day of proceedings during a high profile civil rape case. The MMA fighter has described as “lies” and “more lies” the account given by Nikita Hand of her alleged rape by him in a Dublin hotel six years ago. The trial also heard from Danielle Kealey, a former colleague of Mrs Hand who was present during the alleged incident. Fionnan Sheahan is joined by Shane Phelan, Legal Affairs Editor with the Irish Independent, to discuss the latest in this ongoing civil trial. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Friday Forum brings you the biggest stories of the week, the US Presidential Election, and the confirmation of an Irish election date. Joining Pat this week in studio was Harry Browne -Senior Lecturer in Media at Technological University Dublin, Terry Prone, Chairman of ‘The Communications Clinic',Danny Mc Connell, Editor of the Business Post and Fionnan Sheahan, Ireland Editor at the Irish Independent.

Fionnan Sheahan, Ireland Editor with the Irish Independent and Dr. Theresa Reidy, Political Scientist UCC

Sinn Feins PR problem continues, PAC put pressure on the children's hospital organisations and Michael Martin denies being tetchy. Fionnan Sheahan Ireland Editor for the Irish Independent updates us on all the latest political news.

Pat was joined by Fionnan Sheahan, Ireland Editor at the Irish Independent, to discuss two major political stories. The Dáil is set to vote this evening on the committee report into the legalisation of assisted dying in certain circumstances, a highly debated issue. Meanwhile, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has issued an apology in the Dáil to a teenager who received inappropriate texts from a former senator.

Taoiseach Simon Harris has said he expects the general election to be this year. The Fine Gael leader will meet today with his Coalition leaders, Tánaiste Micheál Martin and Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman. We speak to Fionnan Sheahan, Ireland Editor with the Irish Independent.

Sinn Féin has been rocked after party leader Mary Lou McDonald revealed the matter that led to the resignation of TD Brian Stanley has been referred to gardaí. We get the latest on this with Fionnan Sheahan, Ireland Editor at the Irish independent.

Sinn Fein Leader Mary Lou McDonald has threatened to involve Senior government figures in a controversy surrounding the party's handling of a child sex abuser. We get reaction and the latest on this with Fionnan Sheahan, Ireland Editor at the Irish Independent.

Fionnan Sheahan, Ireland Editor with the Irish Independent and Dr. Brian Turner, Health Economist, Cork University Business School at UCC

Friday Forum looks back on the big news stories of the week. Joining Jonathan this morning was Fionnan Sheahan, Ireland Editor at the Irish Independent, Jennifer Whitmore, Social Democrats TD for Wicklow and also Colm Brophy, Fine Gael TD for Dublin South-West.

Fionnan Sheahan, Ireland Editor with the Irish Independent and Alison O'Connor journalist and commentator

RTÉ's senior executives are paid higher salaries than many of their top 10 presenters. Joining Pat to discuss these further revelation with Fionnan Sheahan, Ireland Editor, Irish Independent.

A showjumping horse owned by the army has failed a drug test following an RDS Dublin Horse show qualifier. We get the details from Fionnan Sheahan, Ireland Editor for the Irish Independent.

Ciara was joined by Fionnan Sheahan, Ireland Editor with The Irish Independent, to discuss the plans for €725 million in public funding for RTE.

Votes have been counted and the results are in: a Labour landslide win in the UK election. Ivan Yates spoke with Fionnan Sheahan, Ireland Editor of the Irish Independent, live from London to discuss the state of play following the results.

Fionnan Sheahan, Ireland Editor with the Irish Independent

Fionnan Sheahan, Ireland Editor with the Irish Independent and Dr. Jennifer Kavanagh, Law Lecturer, South East Technological University

As the European election counts wrap up, Pat spoke with Fionnan Sheahan, Ireland Editor of the Irish Independent, for analysis of the final results and their implications.

Dr Theresa Reidy, Political Scientist UCC, Fionnan Sheahan, Ireland Editor with the Irish Independent, Gary Murphy, Professor of politics at DCU and Graham Finlay, Lecturer in the School of Politics and International Relations at UCD.

Fionnan Sheahan, Ireland Editor for the Irish Independent and Elaine Loughlin, Political Editor for the Irish Examiner sharetheir analysis on campaigns, any front runners, the public's mood and polling.

Fionnan Sheahan, Ireland Editor, Irish Independent and Ivana Bacik, Labour party leader

Dr. Orla Lenihan, Assistant Professor in Governance, Sustainability and Finance, University of Galway and Fionnan Sheahan, Ireland Editor, Irish Independent

Fionnán Sheahan talks to Eamon about the Ryan Tubridy salary scandal in RTE. Fionnan Sheahan is Ireland Editor at independent.ie, the Irish Independent and the Sunday Independent.Recorded on Friday 23rd June 2023. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/the-stand-with-eamon-dunphy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.