Labour spokesperson on the arts, Senator Marie Sherlock, has criticised the Government’s failure to extend the Covid-19 Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) to sectors without permanent premises. The scheme, introduced to support businesses impacted by the restrictions, focuses narrowly on business with physical premises, excluding an arts and events industry that provides widespread employment throughout the…

UK have a ‘Tell Us Once’ Service for notifying a death to government bodies. Labour Party Social Protection Spokesperson Seán Sherlock TD has urged Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys to create a single portal to support family members when they have to engage with social protection and other public services after a loved one…

Tánaiste says it is intention to expand mandatory hotel quarantine as capacity and capability improves. Questioning the Tánaiste about Labour’s call for a national aggressive suppression strategy (NASS), Labour Leader Alan Kelly welcomed the positive engagement from the government to debate the pros and cons of the detail of such a strategy but urged them…

Speaking after the launch of research by SIPTU’s Big Start Campaign, Labour Spokesperson for Children, Senator Ivana Bacik has said: “‘We are a sector that is full of hope, but we are continually let down with every budget’ – the words of union activist Eilish Balfe ring true to the experiences of early years professionals…

Time must be allocated to climate debate in the Dáil Minister must urgently extend the status of the Climate Action Advisory Council As we continue to await the presentation of our Annual Transition Statement from the Climate Action Minister, Labour climate spokesperson, Duncan Smith TD, has called for the reintroduction of transition statements in the…

We need weekly data on how many doses we are receiving into Ireland. Daily Vaccination Figures must be consistently published. Breakdown of how many Covid-facing healthcare workers have been vaccinated must be published. Following questions to the Minister for Health today on vaccine rollout, Labour Party Leader Alan Kelly repeated his call for full transparency…

Reacting to new funding arrangements for the early learning and childcare sector announced by the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality & Integration today, Labour Spokesperson for Children, Senator Ivana Bacik has called for greater clarity around the continuation of funding for services that are forced to close during Level 5 restrictions. Senator Bacik said: “I…

Labour Party Arts spokesperson Senator Marie Sherlock expressed her condolence on the death announced yesterday of Irish soprano Cara O’Sullivan. “Cara O’Sullivan was an incredible talent, someone who made a massive contribution to the world of music both at home in Ireland and on the international stage. I wish to extend our deepest sympathies to…