Fianna Fáil Education Policy Conference
Developing a Policy Agenda
Saturday, 23rd June 2012
Galway Bay Hotel, Salthill, Co. Galway
This conference will debate three important areas within Ireland's education sector: mental health issues facing our students, early education and childcare and protecting our small schools. We hope to formulate policy solutions to these issues through contributions and discussions from our guest speakers, party members and experts in the field who have been invited. Fianna Fáil wants to ensure it is putting forward informed and constructive policy solutions at a national level in these areas.
If you would like to attend, please register online at www.fiannafail.ie/educationconference2012
Conference Schedule
10:30am: Registration
11am: Opening address, Eamon O’Cuiv Fianna Fáil TD for Galway West
11.05am: Tackling Mental Health from Primary to Third Level
Guest Speaker: Caroline McGuigan, CEO Suicide or Survive; Scott Ahearn; See Change
Chair: Senator Averil Power, Seanad Spokesperson on Education & Skills.
Followed by debate
12pm: Developing Good Quality Early Education & Childcare
Guest Speakers: Ciairin De Buis, Director, Start Strong, and Avril Sweeney, Manager, Donegal Childcare Committee; Board Member, Start Strong.
Chair: Charlie McConalogue TD, Dáil Spokesperson on Children.
Followed by Debate
1pm: Ensuring we have strong small schools
Guest Speaker: Sean Cottrell, Director, Irish Primary Principal’s Network, and Tom Byrne, Principal, Partry National School, Co.Mayo
Chair: Brendan Smith TD, Dáil Spokesperson on Education & Skills
Followed by debate
2.15pm: Closing Address Brendan Smith TD
2.30pm: Finish