Type: Press

Biggest increase is in under 25’s with over 10,000 new claimants. Most claimants now in under 25, and 25 – 34 age cohorts. Budget must deliver for young people with new training places and continued income supports. Figures published today show an increase of over 10,000 people aged under 25 claiming the Pandemic Unemployment Payment…

Responding to reports that the rate of VAT in the hospitality industry will drop from 13.5% to 9% in next weeks Budget, Labour Finance Spokesperson Ged Nash said: “The problem for the struggling hospitality sector is not demand but the fact that people cannot go out to socialise. No amount of populist and expensive tax…

commitment also needed on Christmas Bonus. Commenting on kite flying about potential measures in the Budget next week, Labour Social Protection spokesperson Seán Sherlock called for the reinstatement of the four extra weeks of fuel allowance in 2021 and a commitment to pay the Christmas Bonus. Deputy Sherlock said: “There will be an increase in…

All studies show visors are not effective   Labour Leader and Health Spokesperson, Alan Kelly TD,  has called for a public awareness campaign emphasising the wearing of masks and not visors.   Deputy Kelly raised the matter in the Dáil with Health Minister Stephen Donnelly and Taoiseach Micheál Martin.   Deputy Kelly said:  “While people who…

Uncertainty must be addressed, and school communities consulted with. Knock on consequences of an extra week of closure will need to be addressed. School communities already under huge stress from challenges of remaining open and Covid free. Responding to the breaking news from the Irish Independent that the school mid-term break may be extended by…

Small drawdowns confirms that schemes aren’t working for businesses. Instead of sending letters Tánaiste should look at reducing the interest rate on loans. Less than a quarter of Working Capital Scheme and Brexit loan applications approved With less than 20% of government Covid-19 and Brexit supports being drawn down, Labour Enterprise spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin…

Speaking on the launch of Labour’s proposals for our alternative Budget 2021, the party’s spokesperson on Employment Affairs, Senator Marie Sherlock said:   “Labour’s alternative budget for 2021 is first and foremost a budget for workers. With so many working people struggling through the pandemic, it’s vital concrete steps are taken to protect incomes, safeguard workers’…

Labour Senators will today support a motion, proposed by Independent Senators Rónán Mullen and Michael McDowell, which calls on the Government to act on human rights abuses committed against Uyghur Muslims in China. Speaking on the motion, Labour Seanad group leader, Senator Ivana Bacik said: “I thank the Independent Group in the Seanad for bringing…

Following questions to the DAA CEO at the Oireachtas Transport Committee about Covid-19 testing at our airports, Labour Transport spokesperson Duncan Smith is demanding answers from the Government on why there is such a delay, and why they are dragging their heels on an essential measure to get our aviation sector back in action. Deputy…

Shockingly low social housing builds in 2020 show need for radical programme of construction in 2021. Labour calls for over €1 billion extra to be invested to deliver an extra 10,000 homes. Fair Deal for renters needed, Labour commits to a €15m arrears fund. Speaking today at the launch of Labour’s Alternative Budget Labour Housing…

Labour launches Alternative Budget “A New Social Contract” which sets out plan for a new Irish National Health Service (INHS). First step towards an INHS is purchasing two private hospitals immediately to ensure ICU and bed capacity for the coming Winter. Plan includes €550 million in new capital spending, and an additional €700 million in…

ObairGhearr, a short term working scheme would save jobs, provide training and restore the link to incomes. Tax increases targeted at wealth and assets, and the ending of wasteful tax breaks would raise €1.8bn to fight the pandemic, improve services and create jobs. Overall Labour commits to a stimulus of nearly €5bn, and a further…

The 10c increase in the minimum wage agreed by Government today is an affront to low paid workers, according to Labour Employment Affairs Spokesperson Senator Marie Sherlock.    Senator Sherlock said:     “For over six months, essential workers, a large share of whom are low paid, have had to listen to platitudes about the need…

Government need to support all workers through crisis  Restrictions will disproportionately affect those working in hospitality  Following yesterday’s announcement that the entire country is to move to Level 3 of the Governments living with Covid framework, Labour Social Protection Spokesperson Sean Sherlock TD says the PUP payment needs to be restored for all workers now….

Labour Housing Spokesperson Senator Rebecca Moynihan has called on the Housing Minister to immediately reinstate the eviction ban for the entire country after the announcement by An Taoiseach Michéal Martin that the entire country is to move to Level 3 for three weeks from midnight tomorrow. Senator Moynihan said: “After the announcement from the Taoiseach…

The decision to change the Leaving Cert grades for 6,100 students illustrates the need for an independent non-statutory inquiry into Leaving Cert 2020 according to Labour Education Spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin T.D. Deputy Ó Ríordáin was speaking after it was announced that a portal will open for students at 6pm this evening where they can…

Non-statutory inquiry needed that would report by end of 2020. Should report on processes, decision making and handling of replacement to written exam. Recommendations needed for 2021, and report should be considered by Oireachtas Education Committee. After the discovery of two serious errors in the calculated grades system, and the information revealed on Wednesday, and…

Cork East TD Seán Sherlock has called on the Minister for Transport and Taoiseach to intervene to save Ryanair slots in Cork airport and safeguard the immediate future of the airport with a stimulus package. “The hands off approach simply won’t do any more,” said Deputy Sherlock. “The Aviation Taskforce has reported on what needs…

Labour Seanad Group Leader and spokesperson on Children, Disability, Equality and Integration, Senator Ivana Bacik has today welcomed comments by the Minister of State at the Department of Health with responsibility for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler TD, made in response to a Commencement Matter tabled before the Seanad by Senator Bacik this…

The Minister for Housing has missed the first deadline on the introduction of an Affordable Purchase Scheme that he promised would be published by the end of September according to Labour Housing Spokesperson, Senator Rebecca Moynihan who said Labour are going to hold the Minister to account on the introduction of an affordable housing and…

Sherlock gets clarity on Covid support for those restricting movements In the Seanad, Labour Spokesperson for Employment Affairs Senator Marie Sherlock was able to get clarity from the Government that people ordered to restrict their movements due to Covid-19 have an equal access to Covid Illness Benefit to those self-isolating. Senator Sherlock said: “On Wednesday…

The Higher Education Minister Simon Harris needs to attend the Dáil and Seanad urgently to answer questions in relation to the Leaving Cert calculated grading errors according to Labour Higher Education Spokesperson, Senator Annie Hoey. Senator Hoey said: “My thoughts are with the many thousands of students affected by this and those sitting at home…

Grant Thornton Report deserves serious consideration. Sustainable Post Office Network an essential community support. PSO proposal should be assessed by government. Responding to the Grant Thornton report commissioned by the Irish Postmasters Union, Labour Social Protection, Rural and Community Affairs spokesperson Seán Sherlock has welcomed the proposals that should now be considered by Government, adding…

Minister for Education must take questions in the Dáil today. Clarity needed on impact of upgrading on college places. No briefing provided to Opposition spokespeople. After the Taoiseach revealed to the Labour Leader Alan Kelly the discovery of two errors in the calculated grades system, Education spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has called for a full…