As the confusion over childcare costs continues, Labour spokesperson on Children, Senator Ivana Bacik, has reiterated her call to Government to ensure that parents who have paid creche fees but cannot access the service are compensated. The Government must step up and meet this cost for providers.    She said: “I am reiterating my call to…

Labour Party Leader, Alan Kelly TD, has extended his sympathy to the family and friends of former Labour Party Senator Jim Townsend who was a faithful stalwart of the Labour Party in County Carlow over many years. Deputy Kelly said: “I was saddened to learn today of the death of our long standing and loyal…

Irish Banks must re-introduce “blanket” Covid-19 payment breaks, like the first six months of the pandemic, for personal and businesses as permitted under European Banking Authority (EBA) guidance Full COVID-19 breaks should be re-introduced for customers if they have previously availed of a break or not Borrowers should not have credit rating damaged by the…

Decision was well intentioned but ill-judged Any decision to facilitate in-class teaching must be made in consultation with unions Minister must now make a decision regarding this year’s Leaving Cert examinations Following yesterday’s announcement by the Minister for Education to allow in-class teaching for Leaving Cert students, Labour Education Spokesperson, Aódhán Ó Ríordáin TD, has…

Beds are rapidly filling and private hospitals have failed to agree terms with HSE. Too little too late again from the government when we need decisiveness Labour Party Leader, Alan Kelly TD, has called on the Minister for Health to outline exactly what level of capacity is guaranteed available from private hospitals for public use…

Government should give €150 payment during school lockdown modelled on Back to School support Families face additional heating and IT costs with children at home during lockdown Low income families must be supported with the additional costs of schooling at home   Following yesterday’s announcement that schools will remain closed until the end of January, Labour Senator…

Recent increase in homeless deaths show updated Homeless COVID Strategy needed  Government should ensure that there is an isolation bed for everyone who requests it  People living in homeless accommodation or sleeping rough must be prioritised as a vulnerable person for vaccine   Labour Party Housing Spokesperson Senator Rebecca Moynihan has called for an updated Homeless…

No date for PCR test requirement for passengers arriving from other red zones. Asking arriving passengers from UK and South Africa to show clear tests up to 3 days old doesn’t go far enough. Compulsory testing on arrival with rigorous follow up needed. The new rules requiring PCR tests for arrivals from Britain and South…