Decision was well intentioned but ill-judged Any decision to facilitate in-class teaching must be made in consultation with unions Minister must now make a decision regarding this year’s Leaving Cert examinations Following yesterday’s announcement by the Minister for Education to allow in-class teaching for Leaving Cert students, Labour Education Spokesperson, Aódhán Ó Ríordáin TD, has…

Beds are rapidly filling and private hospitals have failed to agree terms with HSE. Too little too late again from the government when we need decisiveness Labour Party Leader, Alan Kelly TD, has called on the Minister for Health to outline exactly what level of capacity is guaranteed available from private hospitals for public use…

Government should give €150 payment during school lockdown modelled on Back to School support Families face additional heating and IT costs with children at home during lockdown Low income families must be supported with the additional costs of schooling at home   Following yesterday’s announcement that schools will remain closed until the end of January, Labour Senator…

Recent increase in homeless deaths show updated Homeless COVID Strategy needed  Government should ensure that there is an isolation bed for everyone who requests it  People living in homeless accommodation or sleeping rough must be prioritised as a vulnerable person for vaccine   Labour Party Housing Spokesperson Senator Rebecca Moynihan has called for an updated Homeless…

No date for PCR test requirement for passengers arriving from other red zones. Asking arriving passengers from UK and South Africa to show clear tests up to 3 days old doesn’t go far enough. Compulsory testing on arrival with rigorous follow up needed. The new rules requiring PCR tests for arrivals from Britain and South…

In response to the Government’s decision to close schools, Senator Marie Sherlock has called for increased data allowances to support disadvantaged children to continue learning online. Senator Sherlock said: “We need telecoms providers in the Irish market to follow the lead of their counterparts in the UK, many of whom operate here as well, to…

The Government must clarify how childcare providers will be supported to continue care for children of essential workers. Childcare workers must have early access to the Covid-19 vaccine. Parents who have paid creche fees but cannot access the service must be compensated.   Responding to the Government proposals on childcare today, Labour spokesperson on Children,…

  Private hospital capacity must be urgently secured. Healthcare staff shortages are a huge concern now.   The rising hospitalisation rates and impact of soaring Covid cases on frontline healthcare workers must be the priority of the government over coming days said Labour Party Leader Alan Kelly calling for assurances that capacity has been secured…