Following her interaction on Friday with Minister Roderic O’Gorman about the National Childcare scheme, Labour Senator Marie Sherlock said it is clear that the Department of Children fails to recognise the importance of supporting after school care and the needs of school going children outside of school hours. She said this failure is threatening the…

Speaking after Labour’s motion calling for a National Autism Empowerment Strategy was accepted by Dáil Éireann last night, education spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin thanked all members of the Dáil for their support. The Government must now act in line with the will of Dáil Éireann and publish plans to implement an Autism Advisory Council, paving…

Worrying figures reported by the Irish Times this morning show that a huge number of children are slipping through the cracks as a result of Covid-19 school closures. Labour spokesperson on children Senator Ivana Bacik has urged the Government to heed advice from the Labour Party and implement a ‘Catch Up for Children’ scheme to…

As football organisations in England boycott social media from this afternoon, Labour sports spokesperson Senator Mark Wall has urged all sporting organisations and professionals to show a united front against social media abuse. Senator Wall said: “The Labour Party stand in support with sporting organisation’s decision to do a social media blackout this weekend to…

News that the Housing Minister will allow investors to build ‘cost rental’ homes for profit is not surprising but deeply dangerous, said Labour’s housing spokesperson Senator Rebecca Moynihan. In a week where Government had an opportunity to support a Labour amendment which would tie rent and the concept of ‘affordability’ to people’s incomes, the Government…

Antigen testing has a vital role to play in controlling virus. Must continue to monitor new variants. Transparency and clarity of communication on vaccination programme essential. Continued economic supports for workers and businesses critical. Responding to the Government announcement on restrictions this evening, Labour Party Leader Alan Kelly acknowledged the huge sacrifices the public have…

Notes, Notes were being taken. When a family who are adjusting to the realisation of a challenging diagnosis come into contact with the services of the state, they should assume a culture of partnership, of compassion, of care. But notes were being taken. They fear for their child because of an autism diagnosis. How will…

Responding to the government’s acceptance, unamended of Labour’s motion being debated tonight in the Dáil from 6pm, calling for a National Autism Empowerment Strategy by the end of July, Labour Leader Alan Kelly said: “Labour tabled this motion to send a message to our autistic citizens and their families that they are valued, that they…