Tag Archives: Seán McMahon

By Dan Danaher THE full implementation of an “offensive” Department of Education circular will result in a reduction in special needs assistants (SNAs) for Clare children with disabilities, a local election candidate has claimed. Clare Crusaders’ Clinic managing director, Ann Norton has described the recent DOE instruction to schools on the SNA scheme as “offensive”, “outrageous” and “disgraceful” to parents of children with special needs. Ms Norton warned that implementing this circular would result in the withdrawl of numerous SNAs in Clare schools, unless the DOE withdrew it. However, her assertion was rejected by a DOE spokeswoman who stated there is no question of reducing the number of SNA posts in the school system. In fact, the spokeswoman outlined the department had increased the number of SNAs to its highest level yet with 10,656 Whole Time Equivalent posts currently allocated to schools. In December, 2013 the Government announced it was increasing the number of SNAs available for allocation to schools, …

THE new President of the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation is Sean McMahon, principal of Mullagh National School. He was presented with the president’s chain of office at the union’s annual Congress in Kilkenny on Wednesday. Mr McMahon attended primary school in Coore National School and completed his secondary education in C.B.S. Ennistymon. He then attended Mary Immaculate College of Education in Limerick, graduating as a primary teacher in 1979. He worked in a number of different roles as a primary teacher. His teaching career began in 1979 in Rathdowney Boys’ National School, Co Laois teaching fifth class boys. In 1980 he moved to Annagh National School in Miltown Malbay teaching third to sixth class, in what was then a two teacher school. This marked the beginning of years of campaigning for more support for small rural schools. During his teaching career, Sean attended University College Galway for three years graduating with a Master’s degree in Rural and Community Development in …

By Dan Danaher Well-known Clare INTO activist Seán McMahon has thrown down the gauntlet to Clare’s six Oireachtas members by requesting their unequivocal opposition to estimated Budget cuts of €100 million in education. Addressing a public meeting organised by the INTO in The West County Hotel, Ennis on Thursday night, the INTO vice-president cautioned that investment in education should not be sacrificed to pay for the greed of Celtic Tiger bankers and speculators who walked away with obscene pensions, lump sums and bonuses. The meeting, which was attended by over 350 primary school teachers and parents, heard calls from numerous speakers for the Government to abandon plans for further cuts to the education system. In fact, Mr McMahon proposed that tax loopholes and tax breaks for the higher earners would generate enough income to avoid the planned education cuts of up to €100 million. “I call on the Government to stop injecting worry and anxiety into communities throughout County Clare …