Anseo.net - If I were the Minister for Education - Podcasts

48:43

A Very Alternative Budget 2027

Anseo.net - If I were the Minister for Education ·

2026/10/03

In this week’s podcast I focus on Budget 2027, outlining an alternative primary education budget and arguing that annual measures like capitation increases, extra teachers, and more SNAs prop up a flawed system rather than changing it. After summarising Sinn Féin’s proposals (additional teachers, special education staff, SNAs, higher capitation and allowances) and the Social Democrats’ plans (free education measures, lower ratios, counselling access, prefab phase-out, meals expansion), I propose a

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29:48

Unconvention: Patronage Report Stage 1

Anseo.net - If I were the Minister for Education ·

2026/09/06

In this first report on patronage, I introduce my Unconvention fringe to the Convention on Education, where I gather public responses and research (using AI to help collate and draft) into reports and podcast episodes; this second report focuses on school patronage. I explain that patronage is not merely historical but gives patrons major power over boards of management and school ethos, including faith formation during the school day, within a system where 88.3% of primary schools are Catholic and

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42:18

Interview 38: Ciara O'Connor Walsh

Anseo.net - If I were the Minister for Education ·

2026/08/17

In this episode, I speak with Ciara O’Connor Walsh, Creative Director at youth mental health charity A Lust For Life, about the transition from primary to secondary school. We discuss how practical worries (lockers, timetables, getting lost) often mask deeper concerns about belonging, relationships, peer judgement, bullying, puberty and identity, especially in the move from small primary schools to larger secondary schools. Ciara outlines signs a young person may be struggling, including headaches,

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35:30

Interview 37: Noel Davidson

Anseo.net - If I were the Minister for Education ·

2026/08/11

I welcome Noel Davidson to the podcast to discuss entrepreneurship education and practical problem-solving in Irish schools. Noel shares his own education and career journey from horticulture into starting businesses and becoming Head of Training and Strategic Partnerships at the Entrepreneurs Academy, arguing that programmes like the Junior Entrepreneur Program (primary) and the Student Enterprise Program (post-primary) build confidence and life skills such as creativity, communication, resilience

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32:30

Interview 36: Grace Brennan

Anseo.net - If I were the Minister for Education ·

2026/07/07

In this episode of If I Were the Minister for Education, I speak with Grace Brennan, founder of Higgle, about process-driven visual arts and creative thinking in primary classrooms. Grace shares her education journey from County Wexford to art and design studies and entrepreneurship supported by Enterprise Ireland and local programmes, and reflects on how third-level art opened her mind to experimentation and careers. We discuss how art can become outcome-focused “cookie cutter” work influenced by

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45:05

Interview 35: Eithne Walsh

Anseo.net - If I were the Minister for Education ·

2026/06/27

I was delighted to meet Eithne Walsh, CEO of Féach Vision Support Services, to talk about improving supports for blind and visually impaired children in Irish mainstream schools. Eithne shares how her two children gradually lost their sight and how low expectations and limited expertise in schools pushed her to advocate for practical planning, expanded core curriculum skills, and assistive technology so her children could become independent learners. She explains Féach’s evolution from parent peer

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45:50

Education Unconvention: Reading 1

Anseo.net - If I were the Minister for Education ·

2026/06/14

Education Unconvention: Big Questions About ReadingI introduce the Education Unconvention as a fringe-style, discussion-based subset of my podcast, designed to complement and sometimes challenge the Convention on Education by sharing progress and inviting contributions online. The first theme is reading, explored through debates about Reading Recovery, UFLI, and dyslexia, alongside reading schools and reading classes. I describe tensions between research evidence and teachers’ lived experience,

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31:17

Interview 34: Patty McGee

Anseo.net - If I were the Minister for Education ·

2026/05/24

In this episode of If I Were the Minister for Education, I speak with US educator, consultant and author Patty McGee about transforming grammar teaching away from dry worksheets and red-pen correction towards inquiry, curiosity and delight, connected to real writing. Patty explains how traditional grammar instruction can create discomfort and inequity, and reframes grammar as a tool for communicating with clarity and connection, noting differences between spoken, book and standard grammar and how

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50:59

Interview 33: Gavin Doyle

Anseo.net - If I were the Minister for Education ·

2026/04/25

In this episode of “If I were the Minister for Education”, I interview Gavin Doyle, a Dublin secondary teacher and founder of Examinaite, about AI and technology in education. Gavin describes his path from teaching and high-level basketball to software development after time in San Francisco, and explains Examinaite’s aim to reduce teacher workload through a bank of 25,000 Leaving Cert past questions with AI-supported marking, feedback, progress tracking, and generation of new differentiated mock

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43:24

Lies, Damn Lies and School Patronage

Anseo.net - If I were the Minister for Education ·

2026/04/13

In this episode of If I were the Minister for Education, I unpack the Department of Education’s primary school survey and the headline claim that 40% of parents in denominational primary schools would prefer their school to be multidenominational. I admit I was wrong to assume parents would simply vote for the status quo, and I argue this figure is a remarkable tipping point, especially given how quickly some commentators tried to minimise it by claiming it represents only 16% overall. I question

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44:30

Interview 32: Dr. Ross Greene and Ruth Eadie

Anseo.net - If I were the Minister for Education ·

2026/03/28

In this episode of If I Were the Minister for Education, I explore how behaviour support in Irish primary schools has shifted from corporal punishment to rewards and consequences, and now toward restorative practice, nurture spaces, and Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS). I’m joined by Dr. Ross Greene, founder of Lives in the Balance and author of The Explosive Child, Lost at School, and The Kids Who Aren’t OK, and by Ruth Edie, principal in Dublin 18 and a certified CPS trainer. We discuss

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49:27

Interview 31: Deirdre O'Toole

Anseo.net - If I were the Minister for Education ·

2026/03/14

Deirdre O’Toole is one of Ireland’s best known educators. She started her well-known Instagram page in 2018 - the Playful Classroom, which explored early infant education - but had since become heavily involved in teaching and learning reading. She took it upon herself to bring the Right to Read conference to Ireland and this will take place next weekend, 21st March 2026. All 400 tickets sold out in under 90 minutes.Deirdre and I have never met in real life (that’s going to happen at the INTO

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36:42

A Pause for Thought on SNA Allocations

Anseo.net - If I were the Minister for Education ·

2026/02/25

In this episode of If I were the Minister for Education, I break down what happened after projected SNA allocations for the 2026/27 school year showed roughly 200 schools set to lose at least one Special Needs Assistant: not due to cuts or clerical error, but because of how the national redistribution model works under a capped total. I explain the background to the current situation, including the long period where schools largely held on to allocations since around 2017, the return of NCSE-led

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27:23

The Story of the Primary Language Curriculum

Anseo.net - If I were the Minister for Education ·

2026/02/02

In this episode of ‘If I Were the Minister for Education,’ I discuss the tumultuous journey of the Irish Primary Language Curriculum since its inception in 2016. I explain the confusing and unworkable nature of the curriculum, which stemmed from panic-induced reforms after a minor dip in Ireland’s PISA scores in 2009. I highlight the chaotic development process plagued by bullying allegations and mass resignations within the NCCA. I describe the practical challenges teachers faced with the original

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40:25

The most boring podcast you'll ever hear

Anseo.net - If I were the Minister for Education ·

2026/01/14

I couldn’t think of a better title to this week’s podcast which is all about admin work. Unfortunately, the biggest change to my job in the last decade or two is the crazy increase in administrative work and constant additions to my workload. My brain physically can’t hold it all so I decided to make it my aim to outsource my brain. This episode goes through some techy tools to help with admin. If nothing else, it will make a good sleeping aid. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this

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48:02

The Anseo.net Review of 2025

Anseo.net - If I were the Minister for Education ·

2025/12/27

In this episode I offer a comprehensive review of Irish primary education for the year 2025. I cover various educational policies, initiatives, and challenges, spanning teacher shortages, special education crises, the hot meal scheme, religious influences in schools, and the controversial snow days. I discuss new policies introduced by the government, the effectiveness of the Department of Education, and the impact of external events like the conflict in Gaza on school environments. Despite the

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15:05

AI Explains the 2025 School Year

Anseo.net - If I were the Minister for Education ·

2025/12/23

Every time I open Google’s NotebookLM, it gets better and better. The graphic above was created using the app and I think it did a good job of summarising the year in a single graphic.The podcast didn’t do a bad job either though it fell into temptation a couple of times referring to issues at second level. However, all in all, I’m pretty pleased with it, and I’d love to know what you think. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus

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46:30

Interview 30: Amanda Jolliffe, Lead Microsoft Dream...

Anseo.net - If I were the Minister for Education ·

2025/12/06

In this episode of 'If I were the Minister for Education', I delve into the integration of AI in the Irish Primary Education System joined by Amanda Jolliffe, the lead of Microsoft Ireland's Dream Space, to discuss the influence of AI on education and the various innovative tools and programs offered by Dream Space. We explore how AI can assist both teachers and students, from lesson planning to creative learning activities. The discussion covers not only the benefits and applications of AI but also

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29:02

What's the point of the Primary Ethos Survey?

Anseo.net - If I were the Minister for Education ·

2025/11/22

In this episode of ‘If I Were the Minister for Education,’ I explore the recent survey conducted by the Irish Department of Education concerning primary school patronage. I also discuss the legacy left by former Minister Helen McEntee and give my initial thoughts on the new Minister Hildegarde Naughton. I raise questions about the survey’s efficacy, its democratic value, and its alignment with the constitutional rights of children. I provide a historical context on the secular roots of Irish primary

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55:03

Interview 29: Debbie O'Neill (LIVE)

Anseo.net - If I were the Minister for Education ·

2025/11/01

Debunking Myths in Special Education: A Live Discussion with Debbie O’Neill In the latest episode of ‘If I Were the Minister for Education,’ I welcome Debbie O’Neill, principal of a school for primary and secondary students with mild general learning disabilities. This live podcast covers topics ranging from the special education system in Ireland, the challenges faced by special schools, and debunking common myths surrounding special education. Key points include the lack of specialised resources

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