New policies for small schools are a welcome step in the right direction – Griffin
“Two new policies to support the sustainability of small schools announced today by the Minister for Education and Skills, Jan O'Sullivan, while not all encompassing, are a welcome step in the right direction for rural communities”, says Brendan Griffin, Fine Gael TD for Kerry.
Cross-departmental approach needed to improve standards in the childcare sector - Keane
Fine Gael Senator for Dublin South-West, Cáit Keane, has urged the Minister for Education & Skills, Jan O’Sullivan, and the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, James Reilly TD, to introduce a strong cross departmental approach in order to improve standards in the childcare sector. The Senator made her comments while speaking at the Association of Childhood Professionals' rally outside Leinster House gates today (Tuesday).
Safeguarding the family home should be a political priority- Burke
“Safeguarding the family home should be a political priority”, says Fine Gael Cork North Central Senator, Colm Burke.
Slowing increase in rent prices an opportunity to reform the rental market - Noone
“Today’s news that rent inflation in Dublin is slowing presents an opportunity to reform the rental market and to stop treating tenants as second class citizens,” said Fine Gael Senator Catherine Noone today (Monday). A new Daft.ie report shows the rate of rent increases slowing in Dublin.
Hayes supports country of origin labelling of processed foods
Fine Gael Dublin MEP, Brian Hayes this week voted in the European Parliament in favour of introducing country of origin labelling for meat in processed foods.The European Commission should now bring forward legislation making it mandatory for processed foods to state the origin of its meat.
Applications for 2015 National Lottery Health Grants open tomorrow - McFadden
Fine Gael TD for Longford/Westmeath, Gabrielle McFadden, has reminded community groups and organisations that application forms for the 2015 National Lottery Health grants will go live on the Department of Health’s website from tomorrow, Tuesday, February 17th.
End to discrimination against ‘Old Young farmers’ - Collins
Fine Gael TD for Cork North Wet, Áine Collins, has welcomed the news that ‘Old Young Farmers’ are to be classed as a “group suffering a specific disadvantage”, bringing to an end an anomaly that meant they were discriminated against when it comes to supports to young farmers.
Cost of holding referenda reduced significantly since 2008 - Farrell
Fine Gael TD for Dublin Fingal, Alan Farrell has said it is positive that the cost of holding referenda has been reduced since 2008. Deputy Farrell was speaking in response to information obtained from a parliamentary question he submitted to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Brendan Howlin.
Major investment in Shannon Foynes Port Company to boost local economy – O’Donovan
“Having worked with CPL, the private investor who is contributing €22 million of the €38 million to the Shannon Foynes Port Company (SFPC), I realise the hard work and dedication that went into bringing this deal to life”, says Patrick O’Donovan, Fine Gael TD for Limerick.
Statement by Minister Varadkar on the ED situation
Minister for Health Leo Varadkar has today (Sunday) given an update on the ongoing situation in Emergency Departments.