Type: Press

  Universal public system would eliminate low wages and high fees   Each year empty promises of ‘free childcare’ are made on Budget day, but these measures only cover a few hours in a work day leaving parents scrambling to fill the gap by reducing their own working time, or asking family for support. The…

Labour Kildare South Senator Mark Wall has called for a price reduction for students’ travel fare in recognition of the student accommodation crisis. Calling for an extension to the short hop zone, Senator Wall said this would help ease the financial burden of the many students who are commuting a long distance due to a…

In light of the number of high profile resignations from the Slaintecare programme, Labour health spokesperson Duncan Smith said Minister Donnelly must come before the Oireachtas to give an honest assessment of the future of Slaintecare. Deputy Smith said there are serious questions of commitment and judgement of this Government when it comes to ending…

Government’s decision to put work first and children second in the new National Childcare Scheme (NCS) is a fundamental misunderstanding of disadvantage, said Labour Senator Marie Sherlock. Calling for Government to make immediate changes to the NCS, Senator Sherlock said no child should be excluded from the care and stability that they desperately need. Senator…

Speaking following reports of increased violent crime and anti-social behaviour in Dublin’s South Inner City and other local areas, Labour TD for Dublin Bay South, Deputy Ivana Bacik, has called for the Government, local authorities and local Gardai to take meaningful and effective actions to ensure greater public safety. Deputy Bacik said: “In recent weeks,…

Labour employment spokesperson Marie Sherlock said the 5% increase in the recommended Living Wage reflects the five wasted years of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil housing policy. Reiterating the need to ensure that work always pays, Senator Sherlock said government must stop kite flying about the future of work and introduce a living wage without…

Labour housing spokesperson Rebecca Moynihan said until the government legislates to ensure that purpose built student accommodation can’t be changed, the student accommodation crisis will not abate. Responding to the circular published by the Department, Senator Moynihan said enacting Labour’s bill to protect student accommodation should be prioritised without delay. Senator Moynihan said: “The stories…

Raising the public’s concerns about the looming energy crisis, Labour leader Alan Kelly has asked the Taoiseach to guarantee that ordinary people won’t have to pick up the tab for poor planning. Deputy Kelly said that Government must commit to protecting vulnerable people against the increased cost of living in Ireland this winter. Deputy Kelly…

Labour Dublin Central Senator Marie Sherlock has called for an urgent review into the operations of the Dublin Fire Brigade service as staff shortages remain. Highlighting the concerns of communities and staff, Senator Sherlock said there is a need for better workforce planning within the service. Senator Sherlock said: “There is a very serious situation…

Marking International Safe Abortion Day, Labour TD Ivana Bacik has called on the Government to ensure that the upcoming review of legislation regulating the provision of abortion services allows for access to free, safe, legal and accessible terminations for everyone who needs one. Deputy Bacik said: “Today is an opportunity for us to reflect on…

Labour health spokesperson Duncan Smith said the clear lack of communication and consultation with families at the centre of the CUMH inquiry points to a larger systems failure within the health service. Speaking today Deputy Smith said that these bereaved families deserve to understand what led to these decisions being made without their consent. Deputy…

Reiterating Labour’s call for the introduction of two new public holidays, employment spokesperson Marie Sherlock said it would be a no brainer for workers, families and the economy. Highlighting the changing nature of work post pandemic, Senator Sherlock said we need to ensure that work always pays and introduce a living wage without delay. Senator…

Labour housing spokesperson Rebecca Moynihan said that the chronic lack of supply in the residential property market needs to be addressed by radical vacant homes tax. Reiterating her call for a vacant home tax for properties lying empty, Senator Moynihan said the approx. 200,000 of these vacant homes dotted around the country could be tapped…

Number of families and children without a home rose again in August Another 23 families and now 2,189 children homeless Minister must act swiftly on Labour’s renters’ rights bill Urgent action is needed to restrict evictions to stem the rise in family homelessness said Labour housing spokesperson Rebecca Moynihan as the August figures released by…

Commenting after the death of Mervyn Taylor, former Labour Party Chairperson, Dublin County Councillor, Dublin South West TD and Minister for Equality and Law Reform, four sections of the Labour Party have paid tribute to his legacy as transformative and having hugely changed the lives of many many people living in Ireland today. Ellen O’Sullivan,…

Labour Party Leader Alan Kelly has extended his sympathy to the family and friends of former Labour Party TD and Minister, Mervyn Taylor who has passed away, and paid tribute to his radical and reforming record as a legislator. Deputy Kelly said: “I want to express my great sadness on learning today of the death…

Labour health spokesperson has given his support to the Medical Laboratory Scientists Association’s move to ballot for better pay. Highlighting the essential role medical scientists play in Covid testing and screening and testing services, Deputy Smith said that if we are serious about building a best in class health service, we need these expert lab…

Need for student cost-rental accommodation Labour Bill would ban change of uses Time has come to cap rents in PBSA Labour housing spokesperson has said the student accommodation crisis is another symptom of a failed approach to housing in this country. In advance of USI’s No Keys No Degrees protest today, Senator Moynihan said Government…

Labour education spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has said that while the move to change the contact tracing process in schools is welcome, it is far too late. Despite assurances from the Minister during the education committee yesterday that there were no issues, it is clear now that this was wrong. Deputy Ó Ríordáin said: “This…

Delays will affect communities in North Inner City, Cabra, Glasnevin, Drumcondra and Phibsborough North Dublin City communities bear brunt of congestion and air quality problems Senator Marie Sherlock has called on Government to provide a detailed timeline for the MetroLink project. Responding to Minister Eamon Ryan’s latest statement in the Seanad today, Senator Sherlock said…

Information campaign needed on access to abortion Exclusion Zones legislation urgently required Why are women still travelling? In advance of the March for Choice this weekend, Labour TD Ivana Bacik has said that Government must learn from research conducted by the Abortion Rights Campaign and amend the legislation providing for access to abortion services in…

Labour health spokesperson Duncan Smith has urged the HSE to immediately begin talks in good faith following a Labour Court recommendation on Covid compensation. Backing union calls for justice for frontline workers, Deputy Smith said the Government must pay more than lip service to the people who kept the country going during the pandemic. Deputy…

Advisory Council’s term must be extended Minister and HSE must respond to roadblocks highlighted by former Chair Labour health spokesperson Duncan Smith said the Minister and HSE must immediately extend the term of the Sláintecare Implementation Advisory Council and listen to the concerns members have repeated raised. Deputy Smith said there are serious questions of…

Concerns for young workers and whether they’ll be discriminated against on age grounds and get less than €1860 special redundancy payment. Concern for workers who opted to move off PUP onto Back to Education Allowance in order to retrain and their eligibility for special payment. Speaking on the announcement of a special redundancy payment, Employment…