Type: Press

Welcoming the publication of Ireland’s first National Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Skills plan, Labour education spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin said the implementation of a national literacy strategy has the potential to end systemic disadvantage in Ireland. Deputy Ó Ríordáin: “Today is a momentous day for ending systemic disadvantage and inequality and I welcome the publication…

Labour Senator Annie Hoey has said called on Government to prioritise mental health in Budget 2022 and properly resource the national mental health policy. Speaking today, Senator Hoey said the Government needs to prioritise community mental health services in the forthcoming budget to stop people falling through the cracks and into the wrong services. Senator…

Labour education spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has slammed the Minister’s handling of schools reopening as shambolic, showcasing a Department out of touch with reality. Deputy Ó Ríordáin has called for the education committee to be reconvened this Friday to resolve the matter with Ministers Foley and Donnelly. Deputy Ó Ríordáin said: “I have written to…

Following over six months of campaigning for a €100 million Catch Up for Children fund, Labour education spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has slammed the Minister’s proposed €50 million fund for lost learning during school closures. The ill-thought through fund will not support long-term recovery for children’s academic or wellbeing and is a fraction of what…

Following the coming into effect last week of a highly restrictive anti-abortion law in Texas, Labour TD Ivana Bacik has called on Minister Donnelly to publish details about the review of Ireland’s abortion legislation.  Deputy Bacik said:  “Recent developments on abortion in Texas remind us that across the world,  anti-abortion activists are targeting hard-fought women’s…

In solidarity with those striking from the Local Employment Services against the proposed privatisation tender, Labour Party spokesperson on social protection Seán Sherlock said today’s strike must be a wakeup call for the Minister to address the concerns of the proposed new tender for local employment services. Deputy Sherlock called on the Minister to meet…

Labour spokesperson on further and higher education Annie Hoey has called on the Minister to outline his plans to ensure all students who require accommodation will have affordable options available to them. As the housing crisis continues to spiral into every section of society, Senator Hoey said more needs to be done to protect and…

Responding to the publication of the Housing for All plan, Labour Housing spokesperson Rebecca Moynihan said it was heavy on aspiration but lacks ambition on State-led delivery, said it required detailed study and that implementation will be key. Senator Moynihan said: “With another new housing plan published today, what people will really care about is…

Education programme targeted at young people also needed to change online culture. Seven months on since the commencement of his bill to tackle online harassment and harmful communications, Labour Party Justice spokesperson Brendan Howlin has welcomed the #NoExcuses campaign launched today to combat the illegal sharing of intimate images without consent and the reporting facility…

Ban on voluntary contributions must be introduced. Free School Books and Meals should be delivered for all in Budget 2022. More financial support for back to school costs needed. Publishing the results of his back to school costs survey, Labour education spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has called on Government to use the Budget to make…

With the publication of a roadmap for the ending of restrictions, Labour Party Leader and health spokesperson Alan Kelly paid tribute to all those who continue to play their part in the fight against Covid-19, but noted that the government’s latest plan failed to address the deep problems uncovered by the pandemic in our social…

Labour sport spokesperson Mark Wall has welcomed the announcement today by the FAI that the women’s senior team will now receive equal pay to our men’s team. Senator Wall said: “This is a very welcome move today by the FAI and an historic day for Irish sport. It sends a critically important signal to all…

930 families still without a home and total homelessness up again by 118 to 8,132. 943 young people aged 18-24 without a home, an increase of 165 or 21% in one month. Evictions are the primary cause of homelessness. Responding to the July homelessness figures, Labour housing spokesperson Rebecca Moynihan highlighted the deeply concerning increase…

Vacant property tax must be robust enough to ensure effectiveness Renters cannot be forgotten Policy should not be based on the premise that people should couple up The Government’s Housing for All plan must have targeted action points to fix the dysfunctional housing market that has let too many people down, said Labour housing spokesperson…

Noting continued closures of creches throughout the country and the serious scarcity of affordable childcare places, Labour childcare spokesperson Ivana Bacik TD has said that a radical overhaul is necessary to address systemic failings in the provision of childcare in Ireland. Deputy Bacik said: “There are serious problems with Ireland’s childcare system. Places are becoming increasingly…

Minister indicated package would be available in the Autumn. Tánaiste told Dáil in June it would be published in the coming weeks. With schools reopening in the days ahead, Labour Education spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has again called on the Minister to clarify when the ‘catch-up’ scheme would be launched after she indicated in early…

No ongoing justification for failure to provide roadmaps for Arts and entertainment sector. PUP cuts from 7th September will disproportionately impact workers in sectors with no reopening plan. Labour Arts spokesperson Senator Marie Sherlock has said that it beggars belief that so many months after the first re-opening road map for 2021 that all parts…

As children in Ireland gear up to return to school after a disruptive and unpredictable year, Labour TD Ivana Bacik has highlighted the ongoing crisis faced by vulnerable children in Palestine as she launched Sadaka’s ‘No Way to Treat a Child’ campaign outside Liberty Hall today. Deputy Bacik said: “This August, as happens every August,…

Labour enterprise spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has welcomed the public consultation on the right to request remote working published today but said the Tánaiste cannot delay any longer in publishing detailed legislation to protect workers opting to work remotely. Ó Ríordáin said there is now an opportunity to go the full way for workers and…

Labour education spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has called on Government to consider its powers to make primary education genuinely free of charge. Marking the return to school, Deputy Ó Ríordáin said many families will struggle over the coming months to pay for schoolbooks, uniforms and voluntary contributions. What’s missing is a compassionate approach to education…

Labour leader and health spokesperson Alan Kelly has welcomed the news that NIAC has approved the mixing of vaccines, a matter he first raised in April. Deputy Kelly said: “The HSE has done trojan work throughout the vaccine rollout and it’s incredible to think we have delivered 6,409,339 shots into people’s arm to date. We…

Following the news that Government is set to provide less than 200 places for Afghan refugees, Labour Senator Annie Hoey said Ireland must act as an international leader in welcoming as many Afghan refugees as possible into the country. Senator Hoey said: “We are all horrified by the scenes we are watching unfold in Afghanistan…

Labour leader and health spokesperson Alan Kelly has reiterated his call to Government to pay a pandemic bonus to honour and recognise the work that healthcare workers have done to slow the spread of Covid. Backing health unions call to the Taoiseach to intervene, Deputy Kelly said he is taken aback that no proposal has…

Labour leader and health spokesperson Alan Kelly has urged Government to resolve the ongoing issue of maternity restrictions. Speaking today, Deptuy Kelly said partners are essential to support and advocate for mothers throughout pregnant. Deputy Kelly said: “Maternity restrictions have been a constant issue throughout the pandemic. The Rotunda’s claim that too few pregnant people…