Noting continued closures of creches throughout the country and the serious scarcity of affordable childcare places, Labour childcare spokesperson Ivana Bacik TD has said that a radical overhaul is necessary to address systemic failings in the provision of childcare in Ireland. Deputy Bacik said: “There are serious problems with Ireland’s childcare system. Places are becoming increasingly…

Minister indicated package would be available in the Autumn. Tánaiste told Dáil in June it would be published in the coming weeks. With schools reopening in the days ahead, Labour Education spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has again called on the Minister to clarify when the ‘catch-up’ scheme would be launched after she indicated in early…

No ongoing justification for failure to provide roadmaps for Arts and entertainment sector. PUP cuts from 7th September will disproportionately impact workers in sectors with no reopening plan. Labour Arts spokesperson Senator Marie Sherlock has said that it beggars belief that so many months after the first re-opening road map for 2021 that all parts…

As children in Ireland gear up to return to school after a disruptive and unpredictable year, Labour TD Ivana Bacik has highlighted the ongoing crisis faced by vulnerable children in Palestine as she launched Sadaka’s ‘No Way to Treat a Child’ campaign outside Liberty Hall today. Deputy Bacik said: “This August, as happens every August,…

Labour enterprise spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has welcomed the public consultation on the right to request remote working published today but said the Tánaiste cannot delay any longer in publishing detailed legislation to protect workers opting to work remotely. Ó Ríordáin said there is now an opportunity to go the full way for workers and…

Labour education spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has called on Government to consider its powers to make primary education genuinely free of charge. Marking the return to school, Deputy Ó Ríordáin said many families will struggle over the coming months to pay for schoolbooks, uniforms and voluntary contributions. What’s missing is a compassionate approach to education…

Labour leader and health spokesperson Alan Kelly has welcomed the news that NIAC has approved the mixing of vaccines, a matter he first raised in April. Deputy Kelly said: “The HSE has done trojan work throughout the vaccine rollout and it’s incredible to think we have delivered 6,409,339 shots into people’s arm to date. We…

Following the news that Government is set to provide less than 200 places for Afghan refugees, Labour Senator Annie Hoey said Ireland must act as an international leader in welcoming as many Afghan refugees as possible into the country. Senator Hoey said: “We are all horrified by the scenes we are watching unfold in Afghanistan…