News – The Labour PartyLabour spokesperson on Social Protection, Senator Ged Nash, has called on the Government to come clean on where the €170 million to refund water charges will come from. Senator Nash is concerned that the Christmas Bonus may be scrapped, and spending on frontline public services curtailed to pay for it. There…

News – The Labour PartyLabour Party spokesperson on Education and Skills, Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, has launched the Education (Welfare) (Amendment) Bill 2017. The Bill aims to amend the Education Welfare Act 2000 which established the National Education Welfare Board (NEWB) but which only applies to children aged 6-16 years. Currently children enrolled in a…

News – The Labour PartyLabour spokesperson on Health Promotion and Drugs Strategy, Councillor Martina Genockey, has broadly welcomed the National Drugs Strategy but said Minister Catherine Byrne must accelerate efforts on drug injection centres. Commenting on the National Drugs Strategy, Cllr Genockey said: “I broadly welcome the positive measures included in the National Drugs Strategy…

News – The Labour PartyLabour Education spokesperson, Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, has called on the Government to outline how it plans to reduce primary school class sizes. It comes after figures from the Department of Education show that nearly 120 thousand primary school children remain in classes of at least 30 pupils. Senator Ó Ríordáin…

News – The Labour PartyLabour spokesperson on Community Affairs, Cllr Andrew Montague, has said that Dublin City Council should focus on delivering new social housing, both rapid build, and new schemes, rather than engaging in grand plans for regenerating the entire housing stock. Cllr Montague, who is Chair of the City Council’s Planning Committee was…

News – The Labour PartyI am glad to have the opportunity to contribute to the debate on the Social Welfare, Pensions and Civil Registration Bill 2017.  I congratulate the Minister, Deputy Regina Doherty, on her elevation.  I have no doubt but that she will be ambitious in the role.  I think she will do a…

News – The Labour PartySpeaking on the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill, Labour Party spokesperson on Health, Alan Kelly TD, raised concerns about the level of resources being provided to A Vision for Change. “I congratulate Deputy Browne and his party on this Bill, which is a very good Bill. I do not believe in “new…

News – The Labour PartyLabour Party Leader Brendan Howlin has expressed his concern at the limited debate on the Defence motion under the triple lock, seeking Dáil approval for Irish participation in Operation Sophia. There has not been adequate consideration of this military operation. Proposals to refer the subject for deeper consideration at committee were…