Type: Press
Government must address rent debt and mortgage arrears due to Covid-19
State scheme to address rent-related debt, and action to stop banks charging penalties and surcharges on mortgage arrears need. Speaking as the Dáil debates the Labour Party Private Members motion on rent debt and mortgage arrears, Housing spokesperson Rebecca Moynihan has called on the government to outline clearly the action it will take to address…
Read more »Nash introduces Sectoral Employment Order Confirmation Bil
Labour T.D for Louth & East Meath, Ged Nash introduced a Bill to the Dáil which if enacted, would see the terms of the three Sectoral Employment Orders which were struck down by the High Court two weeks ago – electrical, construction and mechanical engineering – given the full force of law through a short…
Read more »More detail needed on changes to BreastCheck scheme
Labour Party Leader and Health spokesperson, Alan Kelly TD, has said that more detail is needed on the decision to reduce the number of women who can receive BreastCheck exams every year. Deputy Kelly said: “The decision to decide to increase the waiting time for mammograms from two years to three will undoubtedly cause a…
Read more »Government must act on mortgage interest for Covid-19 payment breaks
Labour Dáil motion tonight calls on the Government to stop the banks from charging penalties or surcharges on mortgage arrears accrued during the pandemic. Taoiseach tells Labour Leader that Minister for Finance will engage with banks. With the European Banking Authority clarifying that banks do not have to charge interest on 80,000 mortgage loans on COVID-19…
Read more »Shannon group should have engaged with union before considering cutting jobs
The Shannon Group should have engaged with the Shannon Group of Unions before any restructuring plans that will involve redundancies and pay cuts were even considered according to Labour Spokesperson on Climate Action, Communications and Transport, Duncan Smith T.D. Deputy Smith said: “I am disappointed by the disgraceful decision of the Shannon Group to cut…
Read more »Minister needs to announce a financial package this week, if schools are to return in September
The Minister for Education needs to announce a financial package this week, if schools are to return in September as intended according to Labour Education Spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. Ó Ríordáin was speaking after a meeting of the Special Committee on Covid Response that was addressed by the Irish Primary Principal Network President Damian White….
Read more »Report on children’s Experiences of Direct Provision “troubling”
The Labour Party’s spokesperson on Children, Disability, Equality and Integration, Senator Ivana Bacik has described as “troubling” a report on the experiences of children in Direct Provision, published by the Ombudsman for Children today. Senator Bacik said: “The Direct Provision report published today, which details children’s experiences of living in Direct Provision, raises a number…
Read more »New parents must not be forced to choose between childcare and returning to work
The Government must step up and support new parents who are being faced with an unacceptable choice between securing childcare and fully returning to work, according to Labour Spokesperson on Employment Affairs Marie Sherlock. Speaking after the National Womens’ Council and Extend Maternity 2020 demonstration outside Leinster House this morning, Senator Sherlock said: “I have…
Read more »Eightfold reduction in Dublin City’s parking receipts substantiate call for insurance refunds
At last night’s meeting of Dublin City Council, Cllr Joe Costello highlighted the fact that in the monthly period from 25th April to 29th May, the receipts from parking metres in the City had fallen from €3.9million to €.5 million – almost an eightfold decrease. Cllr Costello said: “This is a clear indication that private…
Read more »Labour Leader Alan Kelly announces new team of spokespeople
Speaking at the launch of the Labour Party’s spokesperson team, Labour Party Leader, Alan Kelly TD, has said with a new Government in place, the work of the Labour Party is now focused on holding the new Taoiseach and his Ministers to account. Deputy Kelly said: “Labour Party TDs and Senators will hold this Government…
Read more »Minister needs to address the case of Leaving Cert students who may not be eligible for predicted grades
The Minister for Education needs to address the case of Leaving Cert students who may be ineligible for predicted grades because they are self-taught according to Labour Education Spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. Ó Ríordáin has pledged to raise a case of a student from Waterford who is not eligible for a predicted grade for one…
Read more »An Bord Pleanála website needs to be updated to allow for online appeals – Moynihan
An Bord Pleanála need to update their website to allow people to submit planning observations or objections online according to Labour Senator Rebecca Moynihan. Moynihan says the move is necessary to make it easier for people to make observations to the large number of Strategic Housing Developments which the authority is currently processing. Senator Moynihan…
Read more »Councils should employ wardens to maintain social distancing – Tuffy
City and County Councils should employ social distancing wardens according to Cllr. Joanna Tuffy, Labour Councillor on South Dublin County Council. Cllr. Tuffy said: “Council social distancing wardens could help prevent the type of large gatherings that have occurred over the weekend outside pubs in Dublin City Centre. The role would be similar to school wardens,…
Read more »First act of new Housing Minister should be to rescind co-living guidelines – Moynihan
The first act of the new Housing Minister should be to suspend the guidelines for co-living according to Labour Party Senator Rebecca Moynihan. Moynihan was speaking after the new Minister said on Today with Sarah McInerney that he ‘does not believe co living is a solution to the housing crisis’. Senator Moynihan said: “I welcome…
Read more »Failure to appoint more women Ministers a missed opportunity – Bacik
The failure to appoint more women to the Cabinet and as Junior Ministers is a missed opportunity, and there is more work to be done to achieve gender equality in the Dáil, according to Labour Seanad Leader Ivana Bacik. Senator Bacik was speaking after Taoiseach Micheál Martin appointed 17 Ministers of State, only three of whom are women. Senator…
Read more »New Education Minister has failed her first test, safe return of schools impossible without a financial package – Ó Ríordáin
The New Education Minister has failed her first test according to Labour Education Spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin and the safe return of all pupils to school will be impossible unless the Department announce a financial package to allow schools to prepare for the return of large numbers of students to school. Ó Ríordáin was speaking…
Read more »Residential Tenancies Act should be reviewed – Moynihan
The Residential Tenancies Act should be reviewed in order to strengthen the rights of tenants, according to Labour Senator Rebecca Moynihan. Moynihan was speaking after the launch of a research report by Threshold showing a significant power imbalance in the landlord-tenant relationship. Senator Moynihan said: “The research gathered in this report highlights the issues…
Read more »Minister should extend SUSI deadline further and provide clarity on income eligibility rules
The priority deadline for new applicants to SUSI should be extended beyond the July 9th and students need clarity on their grant eligibility if their income has been affected by Covid-19 according to Labour Senator Annie Hoey. Senator Hoey said: “The new Minister needs to extend the deadline for at least another week beyond July…
Read more »New Defence Minister must address ICTU recognition for staff bodies
No commitment given in Programme for Government, as papers lodged in High Court Following the lodgement of papers in the High Court by PDFORRA, Labour Senator Mark Wall has said the new Minister for Defence must urgently address the right of representative bodies for our Defence Forces to be allowed affiliate to ICTU and access…
Read more »Kelly calls on new Minister for Health to restore services to St.Brigid’s Hospital
Labour Party Leader Alan Kelly TD, pressed the new Minister for Health to signal when services will resume in St.Brigid’s Hospital in Carrick-on-Suir. Deputy Kelly said: “During my first opportunity to question the new Minister for Health, I raised the issue of the re-opening of St.Brigid’s Hospital in Carrick-on-Suir. “Since the beginning of the Covid…
Read more »Council of Europe finding underlines urgent need to tackle gender pay gap
Following yesterday’s finding by the Council of Europe European Committee of Social Rights that Ireland is in violation of the European Social Charter on women’s rights to equality at work, Labour Seanad Leader Ivana Bacik has called on the new Government to legislate urgently to close the gender pay gap. Senator Bacik said: “It is…
Read more »Labour Senators commit to advancing equality
Leader of the Labour Seanad Group, Senator Ivana Bacik will today join her Labour colleagues in taking their seats for the first session of the incoming Seanad. Speaking before the Seanad sitting, Senator Bacik said: “Today, the Seanad sits for the first time in the Convention Centre, almost three months since the Seanad elections took place. I look forward to offering constructive…
Read more »Extra Junior Ministers will increase costs to over €3m a year
Labour Party Leader Alan Kelly TD has questioned the rationale for the creation of even more Junior Ministers in the middle of a global recession and estimated that the three new offices and increase in number of special advisors will bring the annual costs to over €3m a year. Deputy Kelly said: “The new government…
Read more »Bacik says creation of domestic violence minister position should be considered
Labour Seanad Leader Ivana Bacik has called on parties engaged in Government formation to revisit the question of creating a ministerial role tasked with tackling domestic and gender based violence in Ireland. Senator Bacik said: “As we enter Phase 3 of the roadmap to ease restrictions aimed at stopping the spread of Covid-19, it…
Read more »