Dublin Central by-election candidate Daniel Ennis discusses his path into the world of politics.

People are scared of the next bill landing through their door. The cost of living crisis is hitting families hard and they need real support now. We’re proposing a €400 energy credit, support for essential workers and investment in solar to cut bills long term.

The debate on the Soc Dems' motion on tackling soaring energy costs has just started. 📺You can watch it live here tinyurl.com/23rudu66

I was on RTE radio one yesterday as the tensions rose at the blockades at Whitegate. You can listen back here. www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...

A million homes in Ireland are suitable for solar panels, which could save households hundreds on energy bills. People on lower incomes shouldn't be excluded from making those savings. That's why we're bringing forward our Solar for All plan. But what does the plan involve? Watch to find out

The dedication teachers have to their profession is deeply admirable. They're at the coalface of our education system – and no one understands how to improve it like they do. The govt must listen to their concerns to ensure Ireland has a world-class education system well into the future.

Minister for Education Hildegarde Naughton must approach negotiations with our teachers unions in good faith if we are to avoid strike action. Both the INTO and ASTI are considering strike action in response to the chronic underresourcing of education on all fronts. @jencummins.bsky.social

@tuiunion.bsky.social congress 2026 is in full swing. Listening intently to motions and debates.

Teachers are still waiting on pay they were due months ago. At the INTO conference, delegates spoke clearly about pay delays, working conditions and the urgent need for proper supports in education. In the middle of a cost of living crisis, this simply isn’t good enough.

The Children’s Rights Alliance Report Card makes clear that students and their families are still facing excessive pressure and insufficient supports. Without strong, accessible supports beyond the classroom, efforts to tackle educational disadvantage will fall short. @jencummins.bsky.social

Dept of Education is facing an overspend of up to €700 million this year. Yet schools around the country continue to struggle due to years of underinvestment by successive Govts. We need to treat education as an investment in our future rather than a cost to be contained. @jencummins.bsky.social

For students, the housing crisis is no longer just about availability, but about cost. Continuing to rely on private developers to deliver student housing risks repeating the same mistakes that have defined Ireland’s wider housing crisis. @jencummins.bsky.social

“Every single day and in every single email, phone call or appointment in my clinics I meet women who have not seen the benefits of equality, equity and empowerment.” @jencummins.bsky.social speaking this week on the Dáil International Women’s Day statements.

There are plenty of resources to ensure everyone is provided with an accessible, appropriate and inclusive education.⁠ ⁠ This constant pitting two communities against one another has to stop and we must start centring our education system around every child.

I actually cannot believe this decision was made The Government have decided to reintroduce Exam fees for State Exams during a cost of living crisis is completely out of touch with reality This cannot happen, we must support our students and their families and make education truly free

A lot of people want to know – what do TDs do when they’re not sitting in the Dáil? Join @jencummins.bsky.social as she spends the day out and about in her constituency of Dublin South-Central.

Govt's proposed changes to Assessment of Need process is essentially cover for years of service development failure. This legislative change is a misdirection of focus from what is urgently needed – proper workforce planning, recruitment and integration of services. @liamquaidetd.bsky.social

Ireland must be clear in defending international law. Diplomacy means speaking truth to power even when it’s difficult. Our moral compass matters, especially when war and human lives are at stake.

“There is no pathway to peace through military means.” @patriciastephenson.bsky.social

The SNA controversy had descended further into farce. When it made its screeching U-turn this week, the Govt promised an additional €19m in funding for SNAs. But Dept of Public Expenditure told PAC this morning it has no idea where this money will come from. @jencummins.bsky.social

State apology given by the Taoiseach today to those who suffered abuse in industrial and reformatory schools is welcome. But it will be meaningless if the government fails to honour its commitment to provide additional supports for survivors. @jencummins.bsky.social

Too many mothers are struggling in silence after birth, without the support they need. The Year Of Care campaign calls for a full year of postnatal support for every mother in Ireland. Every mother ought to be supported in that first year.

SNAs have been shown huge disrespect by govt over the last week. The work that they do – for some of the most vulnerable children in our schools – is absolutely essential. Any review of allocation and roles of SNAs must be handled with far more care than FF and FG have given.

The government’s screeching u-turn on cuts to SNAs was inevitable but raises further serious questions. It is clear the government is desperate to kick this can down the road for as long as possible, in the hopes public anger will die down. @jencummins.bsky.social

The government must not proceed with any plan to cut Special Needs Assistant support across the country. The proposals are wholly premature; many new special classes have not been confirmed, and the broader SNA Workforce Development Plan remains unpublished. @jencummins.bsky.social

We need a government that puts the people and the planet first. That has the courage and the vision to meet our country’s greatest challenges across climate, cost of living, housing and healthcare. @hollycairns.bsky.social

Scrapping the Triple Lock would remove the guardrails on where Irish troops can be sent. It weakens our neutrality and sidelines the UN. If the Government thinks it has a mandate, let the people decide.

Two in five people with disabilities cannot afford heating or new clothes. Yet instead of easing that pressure, the govt's budget left disabled people €1,400 worse off. We know that one-off measures aren't sustainable – but pulling the rug out from under such a vulnerable group is indefensible.

It's welcome that Taoiseach has agreed to make a formal apology in the Dáil to survivors of industrial and reformatory schools This is the very least they deserve. But it should not have taken a hunger strike to extract a State apology. @jencummins.bsky.social

"The Hot School Meals Programme, while welcome in principle, is falling short of its ambition," writes @jencummins.bsky.social in @thejournal.ie today. "The Government cannot afford to ignore its weaknesses."

It was an honour to write a chapter in the book, How Ireland Voted 2024. The tenth edition. Thank you to the authors for inviting me to participate.

Children cannot learn if they are hungry. That is why the Hot School Meals Programme matters so much. But weaknesses in the scheme urgently need to be addressed by Govt. @jencummins.bsky.social

To improve retention and address shortages, teachers, SNAs and school staff need greater access to affordable housing near schools, real-terms restoration of pay and more permanent, full-time posts. You can read my full comments here ⤵️ www.independent.ie/irish-news/3...

After raising this in the Dáil I am delighted to see the increase of these much needed tertiary places especially given the high demand for more OT’s as a part of the The Educational Therapy Support Service roll out. Would love to see SLT’s added too! www.rte.ie/news/2025/05...

RTÉ investigation into sexual abuse of children by Christian Brothers should serve as a reminder of the need to end the prevalence of religious orders in schools. Next week, a my first motion will seek to build a secular education system. www.socialdemocrats.ie/rte-investig...

A campaign on pension parity starting to ensure that school secretaries and caretakers are eligible for pensions. It was great to attend the @forsatradeunion.bsky.social conference! Thank you to everyone who invited me, it was great to catch up with colleagues.

See my article in the @thejournal.ie today! We need more choice for parents and more inclusive schools www.thejournal.ie/readme/schoo...

A week of education conferences complete! It’s been a great week to catch up with people I’ve worked with throughout my career in education & to meet people who are new to me now in my role as education spokesperson.

A campaign on pension parity starting to ensure that school secretaries and caretakers are eligible for pensions. It was great to attend the @forsatradeunion.bsky.social conference! Thank you to everyone who invited me, it was great to catch up with colleagues.

Autism looks different for everyone. Let's challenge misconceptions, listen to people with lived experience, and create spaces where everyone feels valued.

Great to be at the NWCI Women’s Assembly : a Feminist Shared Future ahead of #IWD2025 💜 Their work on creating an inclusive shared space to discuss the issues impacting women across the country is inspiring

Delighted to have my previous colleagues from @educatetogether.bsky.social in to discuss the crucial developments needed to ensure parents have the opportunity to educate their children in the way they want There were zero new Educate Together schools in ‘24 and ‘23 this needs to change 📚✏️