Education minister Hildegarde Naughton has come under pressure to reduce class sizes, “AI-proof” the Leaving Certificate, and address teacher workloads as she made her first appearances at the annual teachers’ conferences. In her first official address to union delegates as education minister, Ms Naughton pledged to “push” for more resources for her department. Ms Naughton said she will also continue to push for supports for students with additional needs. Speaking later to reporters, Ms Naughton said the “genie is out of the bottle” with regard to AI. Niamh Harris and Liam Maguire, District 5 Cavan Monaghan Louth branch delegates at the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation annual congress in Killarney.

Source: Irish Examiner April 08, 2026 17:02 UTC