Slaintecare advisory group envisioned to oversee all policy – not just regionalisation Labour health spokesperson Duncan Smith said the setting up of a separate group to advise on the regionalisation aspect of Slaintecare is not in the spirit of achieving the aims of the full system reform proposed by Slaintecare. Reiterating his calls to Minister…

Labour spokesperson for children Deputy Ivana Bacik will launch Labour Women’s vision for a universal childcare system at 3pm today, October 2nd at the playground in Merrion Square park. Speaking in advance of the launch, Deputy Bacik said:  “Ask parents, early years educators and those who work in or manage childcare facilities and they will…

  Universal public system would eliminate low wages and high fees   Each year empty promises of ‘free childcare’ are made on Budget day, but these measures only cover a few hours in a work day leaving parents scrambling to fill the gap by reducing their own working time, or asking family for support. The…

Labour Kildare South Senator Mark Wall has called for a price reduction for students’ travel fare in recognition of the student accommodation crisis. Calling for an extension to the short hop zone, Senator Wall said this would help ease the financial burden of the many students who are commuting a long distance due to a…

In light of the number of high profile resignations from the Slaintecare programme, Labour health spokesperson Duncan Smith said Minister Donnelly must come before the Oireachtas to give an honest assessment of the future of Slaintecare. Deputy Smith said there are serious questions of commitment and judgement of this Government when it comes to ending…

Government’s decision to put work first and children second in the new National Childcare Scheme (NCS) is a fundamental misunderstanding of disadvantage, said Labour Senator Marie Sherlock. Calling for Government to make immediate changes to the NCS, Senator Sherlock said no child should be excluded from the care and stability that they desperately need. Senator…

Speaking following reports of increased violent crime and anti-social behaviour in Dublin’s South Inner City and other local areas, Labour TD for Dublin Bay South, Deputy Ivana Bacik, has called for the Government, local authorities and local Gardai to take meaningful and effective actions to ensure greater public safety. Deputy Bacik said: “In recent weeks,…

Labour employment spokesperson Marie Sherlock said the 5% increase in the recommended Living Wage reflects the five wasted years of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil housing policy. Reiterating the need to ensure that work always pays, Senator Sherlock said government must stop kite flying about the future of work and introduce a living wage without…