As the most recent deadline for the publishing of the review of the investigation and prosecution of sexual offences in Ireland lapses, Labour Seanad leader and spokesperson on Children, Disability, Equality and Integration, Senator Ivana Bacik has called for an update on the progress of the report. Senator Bacik said: “The review of the investigation…

The changes to the Help to Buy Scheme announced as part of the July stimulus will make housing more unaffordable according to Labour Housing Spokesperson Rebecca Moynihan.  Moynihan said the changes which will allow first-time buyers to reclaim up to 10% of the price of a new build, up from 5% do not address the…

Labour Party leader Alan Kelly TD has announced the following new appointments to senior staff positions within the Labour Party, adding that the Party will be ready for an election whenever it comes. Deputy Kelly said: “I am delighted to announce today the appointment of a number of new senior staff positions within the Labour…

Defence force families should not have to rely on social welfare payments such as the Working Family Payment to make ends meet, according to Labour Defence Spokesperson, Senator Mark Wall. Wall was speaking after receiving a reply to a Parliamentary Question confirming that 121 families are in receipt of the payment until the end of…

Labour social protection spokesperson Seán Sherlock said the government could have put money in people’s pockets by increasing social welfare rates that would directly support local shops and businesses, while the cuts to the Pandemic Unemployment Payment are short-sighted and will hit those who lost their jobs because of the pandemic hardest. Deputy Sherlock said:…

Nothing for renters More of the same failed approach The July stimulus is a missed opportunity for housing with nothing for renters according to Labour Housing Spokesperson Rebecca Moynihan. Senator Moynihan said: “It is clear from what has been announced today that Housing obviously wasn’t the priority for the Government’s July stimulus. I am disappointed…

Labour call for VAT cut endorsed by plan, but reduction must find its way into people’s pockets The Government has failed to meet Labour’s Five Tests for the July Stimulus, said Labour Finance and Public Spending spokesperson Ged Nash TD. The package, he said, lacks ambition and fails to put real money in people’s pockets…

The expansion of rent supplement is needed as part of the July stimulus according to Labour Housing Spokesperson Senator Rebecca Moynihan. Senator Moynihan said:  “Many of the people availing of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment are in receipt of rent supplement. The Minister needs to expand the criteria for rent supplement to ensure people are given…