Eoghan Kenny
Cork North-Central · Labour Party · Ireland
“The barriers facing families today may be different but the principle has not changed. The Labour Party believes opportunity should be determined by talent, effort and ambition, not by the balance in a parent's bank account. Technology has transformed education for the better and it is now an essential part of modern schooling.”
“Parents across Ireland are sitting at kitchen tables trying to work out how they are going to pay for another school year. For far too many families, the excitement of a child returning to school has been replaced by financial anxiety. Increasingly, parents are being forced into debt simply to educate their children.”
“Having been a teacher in two schools, I recognise that these tablets and these laptops that are provided to schools break and that maintenance for them is coming out of capitation grants that cannot be fulfilled by the schools because they are using capitation grants elsewhere.”
“I raise the issue of the lack of a plan for a new public sector pay deal and the lack of engagement on this matter. SIPTU, Fórsa, Unite and the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, INMO, are now to ballot their members for industrial action, up to and including strike action.”
“We need to stop pretending otherwise and introduce enforceable protections for families. As schools become more dependent on technology than ever before, the Government has cut the ICT grant by almost €15 million. That grant stands at just €35 million with no dedicated funding for repairs or maintenance.”
“It is a guidance letter once again, a guidance circular that was produced by the Minister at the time in 2017 that gave absolutely no consequences to the school for having branded school uniforms. In my opening speech I, as well as my colleagues, welcomed the free books scheme.”
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“An overspend within the Department of Education and Youth and an overspend across government as a whole should not have knock-on effect for the Department of further and higher education or for the very students we stand here and represent.”
“Is there a date on which that paper will be made available? Those costings will be very important to politicians in this Chamber but also extremely important to the very students who we profess to represent in this Chamber regarding to the amount they will have to pay for the coming academic year. I represent the students across this country and the important issue for them is that there was a commitment in the programme for Government to reduce the student contribution fees, albeit in a financially sustainable way, incrementally year on year during the Government's term. It is something I will absolutely call out as a spokesperson on education.”
“A financially sustainable way of decreasing fees should not mean students have to bear the brunt for the Department of education's overspending every year.”
“I appreciate that. The Minister will be acutely aware of the level of concern among families and students to the news that there is a possibility that the incremental decreases in student contribution fees will not go ahead. The Minister mentioned that this must be done in a financially sustainable way, which is something that is not spoken about perhaps in the media or by other spokespeople. The Department might be financially sustainable, but why should students or the Department cover the cost for other Departments that are not so financially sustainable? That is not good enough. It is not acceptable to students. I do not doubt the Minister's bona fides on this and I am sure he would love to be able to decrease the student fees or even get rid of them altogether.”
“A recent UCC audit found that 57% of people living with Parkinson's in Ireland have documented access to specialised nurses. That is compared with 95% in the United Kingdom. There is a huge amount of work to do for front-line health services in this country, particularly for nurses.”
“Ambulance staff, paramedics, nurses, healthcare assistants and front-line workers have carried this health service on their backs for years. They worked through Covid, through overcrowding crises, through staffing shortages and through increasing pressure in our emergency departments and hospital wards. This is nowhere more clear than in specialised nursing care. I want to specifically raise the concerns of Parkinson's Ireland regarding the shortage of Parkinson's nurse specialists. These nurses are essential for people living with Parkinson's disease. They support self-management, help patients manage systems and medications and reduce avoidable hospital admissions and pressure on acute services. In Ireland, we have around 60 Parkinson's nurse specialists. We currently have just 25, with two of those funded by Parkinson's Ireland itself.”
“Today we must recognise the immense pressure that our nurses are under in this country, but also other front-line health professionals across Ireland. This morning, I met with paramedics outside Mallow General Hospital who do not take this strike action lightly. Listening to them this morning, it was clear that this dispute was more than pay and grading. It is about burnout, staffing pressures, retention and a workforce that feels ignored for far too long. Last night, I spoke with nurses from CUMH and CUH who are genuinely fearful about the impact this strike action it will have on patient care, particularly vulnerable patients who may now have to rely on private transport. I want to make clear, however, that workers do not take strike action lightly.”
“-----but we profess to and do represent ordinary working people in this country - for example, by putting forward this mini budget, with practical, real-life solutions that will help in the here and now, rather than the Minister of State just throwing his eyes to heaven in the face of the people and the families across this country who are struggling to put food on the table for their children.”
“The cost of groceries in this country has skyrocketed in the past five years. The price of chicken breast has increased from €5 to €12 or more. That increase is a snowball continuing to build. We have proposed to the Government that it provide a one-off €100 grocery supplement to child benefit, restore the €100 previously cut from the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance and remove State examination fees because these are not optional extras but everyday necessities for people. On the face of them, these measures are normal and would help ordinary working people, but Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have never represented the ordinary working people in this country. The Minister of State can throw his eyes to heaven all he wants, but I know that for a fact. They have never represented ordinary working people in this country-----”
“I repeat that there are 264,000 children in this country experiencing deprivation. We had post-election tax cuts for industries that are raking in the money and for which nobody in this country voted. The Labour Party understands many small businesses, farmers and contractors are under pressure and need support. We backed the package, and the Minister of State will see for a fact that we voted for it to support them, but the lack of targeted measures is galling. There is the example of the Panda waste collection company increasing monthly fees due to the fuel crisis and being outside of the scope of the support package. An increase of €12 a month is not nominal. How are you supposed to absorb additional household fees if you are already struggling to heat your home or put food on the table for your children?”
“What about those parents who are struggling to get their children to school, predominantly children in rural areas who the Minister of State professes to represent? Education in Ireland is supposed to be free. It is clear to parents across the country that it is only free in name. Prior to the general election in 2024, the then Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael Government implemented supports to households to cope with soaring energy bills. Since the election, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have cut those supports from right under families while energy costs rise. These increases affect the lowest income households the hardest at a time when one in seven children lives in households that are below the poverty line, with over 264,000 children living in households experiencing deprivation.”
“I must note the irony of a Fianna Fáil Minister coming in here and trying to lecture the Labour Party on fiscal responsibility. It is unbelievable. Fianna Fáil crippled the country and allowed the Labour Party to try to bring it back from the brink and the Minister of State comes in here and tries to lecture us on fiscal responsibility. This is a vital and timely motion. It is clear to many of us in this House that we urgently need intervention to support ordinary working people in this country. I was genuinely shocked when the news came through that there are to be increases in school transport costs. The Minister of State told us about a transport support scheme for school bus operators. What about the parents who have to pay these school bus costs?”
“As a Cabinet Minister who has been in many Government Departments, can she confirm whether all Departments are being treated equally under this approach or whether some Departments are receiving exemptions that others are not?”
“Will the Minister explain why the Government has chosen to impose expenditure levies on Departments given that the State is currently running a surplus of more than €9 billion? The State has run surplus budgets for 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025, all while the top 10% hold nearly 50% of total net wealth in this country and the number of super rich has doubled in the past five years. Successive Governments did not apply this approach to the Department of Health, despite repeated overruns and Supplementary Estimates year after year. Yet, now Departments such as the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science are being required to absorb levies and make reductions, including the pay and pensions levies. Can the Minister explain the rationale for imposing cuts when the Exchequer has the resources available?”
“I want to quickly touch on the keeping of prescribed medication in schools. The Minister of State referenced already that very few schools across the country are able to act as locations for the keeping of prescribed medication. This is about empowering school communities to respond to issues when they occur, from epilepsy to allergies, and to make sure that those working in schools are fully equipped to provide emergency care when medical assistance is required. Once again, I thank the Government for engaging with me on this crucial legislation. I offer to work constructively to see this crucial legislation become law. With the right supports, the right training and the right legal clarity, we can build a safer school environment for all children and school staff.”
“Seeking legal advice as part of the preparatory work is absolutely essential. We must ensure that no extra pressure is added to school staff. As the Minister of State mentioned, we are 21 years behind Canada and Great Britain passed a Bill this year. We can be a flag-bearer across Europe if the legislation is enacted here. I do appreciate that the preparatory work has to be done. I want to state clearly on the record that there are many schools already among the 4,000 schools in the country doing very good work. Some schools have trained personnel on site to deal with medical emergencies. I am not putting every single school into the same bracket. This legislation would ensure that there would be school staff in all schools across the country who are prepared to deal with a medical emergency, be it for a colleague or a student.”
“I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Richmond, and the other Deputies. The Minister of State is here longer than me, but this is probably my first time to agree with everything that has been said in the Chamber, from both this side of the House and the other side of the House. A timed amendment is appropriate and necessary. I thank the Government for engaging me on this crucial legislation. The Minister of State referred in his opening statement to engaging with stakeholders. It is extremely important that there would be engagement with stakeholders. I warmly welcome the fact that discussions have already begun between the Department of education and the Department of Health. The Minister of State mentioned legal advice. The indemnity of staff is something that has come up regularly with the three teaching unions.”
“They probably would not have known only for the fact that there was another colleague in the school who was also an epileptic. It just so happened that was the case. Thankfully I did not receive an epileptic seizure in the school. I do not speak from experience but I fear if I had it in the time when I was in primary or secondary school what the consequences would have been had I received an epileptic seizure and if there had been no staff member there to prescribe any medication they might have deemed necessary. I am hoping there will be cross-party support in the House and I commend the Bill.”
“As a member of the Association of Secondary Teachers, ASTI, myself and having spoken to the teaching unions about this, there is general consensus among teachers and school staff across the country that this would be appropriate and they would welcome it from the Department of Education and Youth. We must ensure in the steps we take in making this legislation law, that teachers are protected and indemnified if something was to go wrong in the administering of prescribed medication. It is important legislation and we can work together on it. It is for the benefit of children across the country, and not just children. I taught in schools. Only for the fact that I was able to inform my colleagues of what to do if I was to receive an epileptic seizure, they probably would not have known what to do.”
“At the end of the day, this legislation is positive, forward-thinking and relatively fair in terms of the asking of school staff to engage in proper, adequate training to make sure our school environments across this country are safe environments for our children to enter every day of the school week. All children across this country want is a safe, efficient environment to be able to progress in their academia. All parents across this country want, and I am not speaking as a parent but I know from speaking to parents, if they have a child who has a long-term illness, disability or perhaps allergy is to know if the child suffers a medical emergency in their school environment they are safe and the staff within that school environment are trained to deal with medical emergencies.”
“This I think will need considerable effort and I respectfully suggest that any training would be provided as whole-staff training where possible, rather than a cascade model of training. A teacher in Cork says: Recently I had the opportunity to attend the Allergy Wise informal talk on food allergies and it really opened my eyes. Hearing about the daily struggles a child with allergies faces in school both in terms of safety but also socially, was so impactful. The presentation shed light on both the physical effects of allergies and the emotional toll it can take on a child's confidence. It was a powerful reminder of the importance of awareness, inclusion and support. It is a talk that should be given in every school in the country.”
“In my girl’s school there are two very capable first responders who update their training regularly, but administration of EpiPens is not included in this. I really think it should be compulsory for all staff, including ancillary staff, just like child protection training. As a school principal in County Clare, I can testify from the accounts of many teachers and principals at schools are under-resourced and under-supported to intervene in children's emergency care. The Department of Education and Youth persistently fails to commit the necessary support and resources to training in schools, even when it relates to areas the Department itself has identified as priorities.”
“The doctor perceived I was very nervous and asked why. I answered that as a primary school teacher I had often found myself wearing two or three crossways bags on a school tour containing emergency medication for students I did not teach or know. It would be for a few minutes while other staff were taking a break. I might have known how to administer the medicine, but there was no certainty that I did. Thankfully, my boy successfully worked through the egg and milk ladders, and he can eat both with no issue since. In January of this year, my daughter who is 13 started carrying EpiPens for a peanut allergy. I was shocked to discover nothing has changed. In my experience, EpiPen training only happens if a parent offers it. This is not a judgement of school staff.”
“There is a fear of getting things wrong, concern at how exactly to administer the medication and monitor the child, and concern of blame if something goes wrong. One SNA asked me what happened if a child was not given an EpiPen. The answer that they would watch him die in front of their eyes was stark and powerful, but it was not intended to raise fear. There is a risk through the informal nature of these sessions that they could be seen as scaremongering. That is why formal training is so important. Linked with that, it is critical that anyone asked to intervene is supported and knowledgeable about what they are being asked to do. I am also going to read some of what has been said by a parent and teacher in County Kerry: Ten years ago I brought my son to allergy specialists and found out he is allergic to cow’s milk and eggs.”
“I believe formalised training with clear protocols can help improve confidence and outcomes compared to the existing ad hoc arrangements in place. As first responders, there are significant asks of school staff in the event of an emergency, and it is only proper that they are supported in a structured and formal way to help deliver the often life-saving care that may be necessary. In my experience of talking to school staff, the overwhelming theme is that staff, including teachers, SNAs and support staff just want to be able to do the right thing. Keeping children safe as well as providing an education is their priority. I know the priority for all of us across this House is the very same. The person continued: Some of the questions which come up are enlightening.”
“Third, it gives parents and carers the confidence that there is structure that supports their child in school in the event of an emergency medical incident. I am the parent of two boys in secondary school, both of whom have severe allergies to a number of foods which can result in a medical emergency. The current situation is that in agreement with the school, I attend at the start of each year and carry out training with the school staff. I am lucky that the school is receptive of this, and that I am both a qualified nurse and educator as part of my role. Many other parents and children do not have these advantages. I have always found staff open and receptive to this but my experience is narrow; a particular school and medical issue.”
“That statistic is quite stark and at the end of the day, all of us in this House, party politics aside, every single one of us wants to ensure children feel safe in their school environment. A parent and nurse in Dublin states: Passage of this Bill is an important step in giving greater confidence to all involved with the school system that any intervention given to a student in the event of a medical emergency is supported by legislation and appropriate training. First, it gives students suffering from severe conditions the confidence that support is available in the school setting, especially as those students are children. Second, it gives school staff the confidence to engage with training and helps support students in the knowledge that there is legislative backing supported by formal training in any intervention.”
“Training was provided by a parent or there was no training provided at all. Just 20% felt the teachers in their child’s school received adequate training and 52% of the 82 respondents were unhappy with the safety of their children at school. Some 16% selected “a tell us more” option and shared similarly negative experiences, citing the same lack of training and awareness among teachers and school staff. In some cases schools have implemented a “no-nut” policy, but this is undertaken on an ad hoc basis. Some 32% feel that their child is safe in school. That is a very poor statistic when we think about the number of children we have in our school system, and the more than 4,000 schools we have in the country.”
“Sabrina's Law, introduced in Canada in 2005, 21 years ago, is legislation quite similar to this. In February of this year, not too long ago, as I said, Benedict’s Law was introduced in England. It is very similar to this legislation. There is cross-party support when it comes to this Bill as many of these groups have already met with a number of committees. I am going to read some of the experiences and give figures in relation to this. Some 81 people responded to Allergy Action Ireland on its Instagram page. Some 63% of them said teachers in their child's school did not receive training on using an auto-injector. Some 17% selected “a tell us more” option and shared mostly negative experiences where training and knowledge depended on the individual. They shared that teachers were doing their best but it was not enough.”
“A 2024 study from the University of Galway found that 80% of teachers and special needs assistants in primary schools had not been trained to recognise the signs of a severe allergic reaction, and 77% were not trained to administer an adrenaline auto-injector. Those are quite severe statistics when we think about it. Some 80% of teachers and special needs assistants, the core number of staff we have in our schools, are not trained to recognise the signs of severe allergic reactions, and 77% are not trained to administer auto-injectors. In February 2026, Benedict’s Law was formally introduced in England, committing to introduce mandatory statutory allergy guidance to schools through the Department for Education. In Canada, a similar law was passed in 2005, Sabrina’s Law. These are two laws I can reference in relation to this legislation.”
“Ensuring our teachers and educators are equipped with the information they need from the outset is the whole purpose of our calls for Seizure Safe Schools. The bill obviously expands to other medical conditions and not just epilepsy, but we are delighted to see legislation being introduced that could make Seizure Safe Schools a reality. From our ongoing contact with Oireachtas members on the need for Seizure Safe Schools, we know there is broad support for what we are calling for – and we hope that there will be similar support for this new legislation. In relation to Allergy Action Ireland, it has given me a fantastic briefing note and some very important pieces of information I want to lay before the House. An estimated 160,000 people, 1% to 2% of adults and 5% to 6% of children, live with food allergies.”
“With the right supports, training and legal clarity, we can build a safer school environment for everyone. I also wish to speak about a number of the groups I have met. Obviously, I meet quite frequently with Epilepsy Ireland. I am going to read some of what the group has said, It stated that, given its Seizure Safe Schools campaign, I had engaged with Epilepsy Ireland to update it on my plans to introduce this Bill. Commenting on the news that the Bill would be introduced in the Dáil this week, its advocacy and communications manager, Paddy McGeoghegan said: We are very pleased to see Deputy Kenny bring forward this legislation which further amplifies how epilepsy and other medical emergencies can present in the classroom.”
“It is inevitable that most teachers will face such a moment at some stage in their profession. We must ensure that they are properly trained and supported when they do. There are many steps between introducing legislation and seeing it working effectively in our schools. We must ensure that staff are supported every step of the way. This includes guaranteeing that school personnel are protected from liability, where they act in good faith and in accordance with training, if an adverse medical outcome occurs. Confidence and clarity are crucial if we want this initiative to succeed. As legislators, it is our duty to ensure protections are in place that safeguard our young people and those who care for them every day. This legislation is about preparedness, prevention and peace of mind for students, parents and staff alike.”
“My intention in putting forward this legislation is to create a clear framework for first aid and medical emergency training in our schools, promote awareness and enable quicker access to life-saving interventions, where appropriate. Having worked in classrooms across Cork and having experienced epilepsy in my own life, I understand how important it is that schools are prepared for medical emergencies. Awareness is important, but awareness must lead to action. Every student and every staff member deserves to feel safe and supported in their school community. We need to empower those working in school communities to respond to issues when they occur, from epilepsy to allergies, and to make sure those working in schools are fully equipped to provide emergency care when medical assistance is required.”
“I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I thank the Minister of State for being here and Deputies Darren O’Rourke and Jen Cummins for being in the Chamber. As I speak on this legislation for the second time, it is important for me personally and professionally, being a former secondary school teacher, as well as being an epileptic, having been diagnosed at the age of 21. This legislation is personally and professionally significant for me. The Bill would improve access to training and resources for school staff to confidently and competently respond in emergency situations, including the safe administration of prescribed medication, where necessary.”
“The question is based on the fact that people have come to me because their child has been waiting on a dental appointment for two years. People cannot get access to a GP, particularly those who are living in rural areas. I am sure the Minister is acutely aware of that. The first question that is often posed by constituents is around why we do not have more nurses, doctors or dentists because that would bring down the waiting lists. A cross-government approach to this is important. There are significant issues in our health service and the waiting lists. The possibility of providing extra courses, particularly in medicine, nursing and dentistry, would have cross-government and cross-House support because it would have the effect of bringing down the waiting times that many people are facing.”
“Has the Minister been in communication with the Department of Health regarding the level of demand for these courses, given the waiting lists that we have in our health service?”
“I thank the Minister for that. I asked the question because a lot of people have come to me who achieved the required points but they did not get the actual course because of a lack of places. I also asked it because we all see the extensive waiting lists across our health service, particularly for those trying to access a GP in their local area. There are also extensive waiting lists within community hospitals and in larger hospitals in Cork, Dublin, Galway and elsewhere. I am particularly interested in dentistry courses because I have come across a number of cases of people having difficulty accessing dental hygienist courses. I know of one person who applied for a dental hygienist course in UCC but a place is just not available.”
“The question generally relates to the number of courses available in medicine, nursing and dentistry and if all applicants for whom it is their number one choice on their CAO form, for example, will receive a place on those courses.”
“I wish to ask the Minister about the level of demand for specific courses, particularly in healthcare including courses in medicine, nursing and dentistry; the number of applicants who apply for a particular course and the numbers that will be granted a course for the coming academic year.”
“Is there a possibility, from our perspective or from an outside perspective, of promoting this better so we can give young people in this country the opportunity of jobs in our public service?”
“The increase is significant and I am glad that some of what I spoke about 15 or 16 months ago has been taken on board, relating to the role of apprenticeships. With regard to students in fifth or sixth year who may be thinking about going into third level or progressing their academic life, or people in their 20s or whatever age they may be, where or how can they access this information? Is it being publicised correctly? Is it being given to career guidance teachers in schools? Is it openly and freely available through an online system? Are we promoting it? Can we help to promote it in different ways to try to get apprenticeships into our system? Genuinely, this is the first time I have heard about a lot of what the Minister of State spoke about.”
“I have made the point previously on the floor of the Dáil, and I will make it again, that local authorities are finding it ever more difficult to try to get their own workforce and are leasing out a lot to third parties.”
“I firmly welcome the developments in the public service apprenticeship model made by the Department of further and higher education. The Minister, Deputy Lawless, and I have had many exchanges on the role of apprenticeships in our public services. It is being focused on by the Government and I welcome this. It is something I am absolutely focused on. We all know of the difficulty with the number of apprenticeships our local authorities are able to take on. Will the Minister of State outline, in relation to the goal of having 750 apprenticeships annually, whether we have an idea where they will be working in our public service? Will they be located in our local authorities? I want to know where they will be located.”
“What number of apprenticeships has the State taken on each year from 2020 to date? We have discussed apprenticeships previously in this House. They are extremely important to me as a public representative and as someone who has grown up with many family members who have become apprentices.”
“Whether it is because the local authority does not have the manpower or there is a lack of availability, there are very few inspections going on within private rental accommodation. From my perspective as spokesperson on education, and from the Minister's perspective, does he believe it is now more essential? Is he in any conversation with the Minister, Deputy Browne, about the inspections of private rental accommodation being used by students?”
“I thank the Minister for clarifying that and I will correct the record on that. I also want to speak to the broader aspect of accommodation that is being used by students in our cities. Since the Minister has taken up his position, in regard to communication he has with the Minister, Deputy Browne, there has been a significant amount of it in relation his own strategy. For example, in regard to private rental accommodation students have, there has been a significant number of cases brought to my attention where students are living in private rental accommodation near University College Cork, MTU and other third level institutions, particularly in Cork because I am a representative from Cork, where the accommodation itself is generally not fit for purpose.”
“A final point is that it is vital that technological universities have opportunities to borrow in order to purchase land to build or fast track their own accommodation for students. I raise those points because at the committee on higher education, a number of students from Aontas na Mac Léinn in Éirinn, AMLÉ, came in and spoke with us about that.”
“In relation to the student accommodation strategy, the Minister knows I am not in the business of criticising in any way, shape or form any new development and I welcome it. However, I will call out certain aspects of it that I do not perhaps agree with. We might differ on that but that is fine. I have a sense that the strategy itself is developer-led with an enormous reliance on the private market. It fails in very basic protections in terms of capping student rents and ensuring service charges cannot be used as an excuse to drive up the rent beyond the RPZ rate. The landlords will be able to reset the rents in between the tenancies. I am just noting these issues.”
“Cobh is a hugely popular town and Carrigtwohill is becoming one of the fastest growing towns in Cork. The public are genuinely concerned for their safety. The first of the liners have started to dock in Cobh, swelling the daily population, but there are very few gardaí available. We all want new gardaí in our areas but Cobh brings such an economic benefit to Cork, the presence of gardaí is absolutely essential there.”