Labour Education spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has sharply criticised the Minister for Education, Norma Foley, for the unnecessary delay in publishing the results of Leaving Cert 2023. Deputy Ó Ríordáin said: “Providing Leaving Cert results in September is an unnecessary delay at the start of the academic year and will only serve to create more…

Extend eviction ban until December 2023 Introduction of monthly reporting on tenant-in-situ scheme locally Commence emergency public house building programme Rapid CPO of vacant and derelict homes Increase national housing targets to 50,000 Tomorrow (Thursday, 9th February), The Labour Party will demand Government action on the worsening housing disaster. In recognition of the fact that…

Taoiseach confirms serious staff shortages in international protection accommodation service. New Minister urgently needed to coordinate accommodation effort. Speaking in the Dáil this afternoon, Labour Leader Ivana Bacik TD questioned the Taoiseach on his government’s hands-off approach to housing those who come to Ireland seeking refuge from war, conflict and persecution. Deputy Bacik said: “As…

Labour health spokesperson Duncan Smith said today (Wednesday 8th February) the three-tiered support scheme for assaulted health workers must end. Speaking following the conclusion of the Oireachtas Health Committee today, Deputy Smith said: “The number of patient-facing workers being assaulted in their workplace must be addressed as a matter of urgency by the Health Service…

Labour Senator Mark Wall said the failure of the Housing Minister to review and bring the Housing Adaptation Grant in line with current construction costs is a national disgrace. Senator Wall said with construction costs and inflation through the roof, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil must address the affordability of adapting homes for older people…

Labour spokesperson on Social Protection Séan Sherlock said it is shameful that so many people are going without food and meals in a ‘wealthy’ country. Citing research published by Barnardos, Deputy Sherlock said the gaps between the have lots and have nots in Ireland is cutting away at the fabric of society. Deputy Sherlock said:…

Government must urgently progress legislation now. Labour’s Reform spokesperson Deputy Ged Nash has said the government’s review of Ireland’s statutory framework for ethics in public office represents “an endorsement of Brendan Howlin’s Public Sector Standards Bill” seven years after it was first debated in the Dáil, and he called for urgent progress on a new…

International protection applicants must be granted access to labour market within three months of arrival  Labour workers’ rights spokesperson Marie Sherlock has called on Government to halve the wait time for refugees seeking work in Ireland from six months to three months. Senator Sherlock said: “As legislators, we must do more to help support people…