With the HPV vaccine now due to be made available to women up to age 25, Labour Health spokesperson Duncan Smith TD has said the Minister should ask NIAC to assess if it should be made available for women up to the age of 45. Deputy Smith said: “The HPV catch-up vaccine programme should be…

Labour’s health spokesperson Duncan Smith has today (Wednesday, 16th March) written to the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly to demand his immediate intervention to resolve a potential dispute between health care workers, union representatives and health service employers. Deputy Smith said: “What was a good news story for health care workers is now becoming incredibly…

Following a discussion today (Wednesday, 9th March) at the Joint Oireachtas Health Committee on hospital overcrowding, Labour Senator and Health Committee member Annie Hoey said real investment is needed in healthcare workers. Senator Hoey said: “The government has failed workers in the health service for too long. All witnesses at today’s Oireachtas committee gave compelling…

Labour TD for Dublin Bay North Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has today (Monday, 21st February) sharply criticised the Government for refusing to commit to a Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs until at least next year. Deputy Ó Ríordáin said: “Less than two short weeks ago (Wednesday, 9th February) I asked the Taoiseach if there were any concrete…

Labour’s health spokesperson Duncan Smith has today (Sunday, 13th February) written to the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly to demand answers to extraordinary questions of governance, recruitment and accountability raised by a leaked audio recording of a Department of Health meeting. Deputy Smith said: “The leaked recording of an internal Department of Health meeting reported…

Labour Party Spokesperson for Health, Duncan Smith has today insisted that the State cover the cost of antigen tests and FFP2/medical grade masks for all households. Deputy Smith said: “Antigen tests and FFP2/medical grade masks must be a central pillar in our collective response to combat Covid throughout 2022. We need the State to step…

Under questioning from Labour leader Alan Kelly, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar was unable to provide a clear answer on the repeal review. With the Tánaiste unclear as to whether the decision to fudge the review was brought to cabinet and decided there, Deputy Kelly said government need to immediately outline what is going on with this…

Labour Senator and health committee member Annie Hoey said the inability of the Minister for Health to provide a single straight answer regarding the abortion review under questioning is deeply worrying. Highlighting the many areas that need to be examined during the review, Senator Hoey said the Minister cannot continue to push women’s healthcare aside….