Labour Party Education spokesperson, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, has called for Leaving and Junior Certificate fees to be waived for this academic year. Deputy Ó Ríordáín said: “In the last few days I have been contacted by school principals who are concerned about the payment of Leaving and Junior Certificate fees for this academic year. Leaving…

The Covid-19 crisis has exposed the damaging extent of Ireland’s digital divide in education, according to Labour Party education spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. The Dublin Bay North TD praised teachers and other school staff for their magnificent efforts to help students continue their studies remotely. But he said the digital divide and other aspects of…

Labour Party Leader, Brendan Howlin TD, has called for action at European level to assist Ireland and other member states with the economic fallout from the coronavirus epidemic. Deputy Howlin said: “The coronavirus pandemic is the biggest test yet for the EU. We must avoid repeating the mistakes of the 2008 crash, where European supports…

Labour Party Employment Affairs spokesperson, Ged Nash TD, has expressed deep concern that all construction sites are allowed to remain open during this public health crisis. Deputy Nash said: “I am extremely concerned that physical distancing cannot be properly implemented on construction sites around the country. “Today Unite the Union and construction workers across the…

Labour Party Education spokesperson, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin TD, seeks collaborative approach to school closures. Deputy Ó Ríordáin said: “We all appreciate that it’s impossible to give absolute clarity at this time. But students, parents and teachers need to hear the Minister for Education’s plans for the reopening of schools. “Media reports that he intends to…

Labour spokesperson on Children, Deputy Sean Sherlock, has called on the Government to provide emergency funding for the childcare sector in the face of the prolonged closure of crèches around the country. Deputy Sherlock said: “As it’s now been confirmed that schools will remain closed after March 29th we can also presume the same will…

Labour Party Health spokesperson, Alan Kelly TD, has called for the Government, social media companies and mobile phone companies to roll out a coordinated communications strategy to encourage people to stay at home. Deputy Kelly said: “It is clear from reports from over the weekend, that some people are not grasping the importance of social…

Labour Party Health spokesperson, Alan Kelly TD, has called for student nurses who are working in our hospitals during the COVID-19 health crisis to be paid for their work. Deputy Kelly said: “Student nurses like many healthcare professionals are putting themselves out on the frontline working to protect us from the spread of COVID-19, but…