The childcare package announced today is underfunded and fails to address the chronic issue of low pay in the sector, according to Labour TD and spokesperson on Children and Youth Affairs, Jan O’Sullivan. “In the Budget for next year, the sum that Katherine Zappone has secured for investment in a new programme covering childcare and…

Labour Senator and Spokesperson on Labour Affairs and Workers Rights, Ged Nash, says the Government’s 10 cent increase in the National Minimum Wage outlined in Budget 2017, is a slap in the face for 70 thousand of Ireland’s lowest paid workers. “The government has failed to meet its own commitments to raise the minimum wage…

Last Friday, after the main opposition parties had published our alternative budget proposals, it was reported in the Irish Times that an “extra €200 million to expand the so-called “fiscal space”, is understood to have been found through “savings””. Following on from this report, we have sought clarifications from either Paschal Donohoe or Michael Noonan,…

Labour Tipperary TD and Spokesperson on Health, Alan Kelly, says any move to cut rapid-response emergency ambulance services in Tipperary and Clare is completely unacceptable. In a statement to media today, the HSE confirmed the National Ambulance Service has started a review in the Mid-West region, including the provision of rapid response vehicles operated by…

Budget 2017 should include a significant increase for Ireland’s international aid fund.  At 0.35% of GNP, the Irish Aid fund is at its lowest percentage in nearly two decades.  It is only half of our UN target of 0.7%.   Our neighbours in the United Kingdom reached the UN target a few years ago despite…

Labour Senator Kevin Humphreys has slammed Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil over continued speculation of a possible delay to the old age pension in next week’s Budget. “Reports that an increase of €5 would be delayed until July would mean a real increase of only €2.50 a week in 2017,” said Senator Humphreys. “Any move…

Today’s revelation that the Government has conjured an extra €200 million of fiscal space for the Budget next week must be urgently clarified. According to reports, a further €200 million is now available to fund a cut in the USC and increase spending through ‘savings’. The Labour Party has sought further details from the Departments…

Labour Party leader, Brendan Howlin TD, along with Finance Spokesperson, Joan Burton TD, and Spokesperson on Public Expenditure and Reform, Seán Sherlock TD, have launched the party’s alternative budget in Dublin today, which contains a fully costed and progressive set of proposals for the coming year. The document, ‘Building a Shared Prosperity’ is made up…