The costs of energy are continuing to rise, and people can’t keep up. The government has done nothing to help, and has actually made things worse by abolishing the energy credits which were barely allowing many households to keep their heads above water.

In December, the Social Protection Committee and the Committee on Disability Matters came together for a joint session where we heard from members of Disabled Persons’ Organisations about the issues most affecting them, including on housing, accessibility, and access to employment.

The cuts from global aid donors led by the dismantling of USAID by the US administration has caused untold suffering throughout the developing world, devastating networks of vital aid provision that stretch far beyond just American organisations.

Fox hunting is wrong. It is a cruel, barbaric practice that belongs in the annals of history. It’s incredible that the three largest parties, each founded in opposition to colonialism, are voting to protect a vestige of elitist British aristocracy in Ireland and against basic animal welfare.

I submitted 9 amendments to the Social Welfare & Auto-Enrolment Bill, including amendments on important measures that would have lifted children out of poverty, introduced a cost of disability payment, and extended paid leave for parents to 1 year.

On budget day, the government chose to give tax breaks to large developers and fast food chains. As we discussed the Social Welfare Bill last week, we saw, in detail, exactly what those choices mean for ordinary people, particularly the most vulnerable in our society.

Trainees in professional services are far too often exploited and underpaid, and the pay disparity between them and the partners of those firms is extreme.

#accountants #trainees #auditors #graduates #consultancy

Irish workers have proven that they can be the most productive in the world when the conditions are set up correctly, but we’re not doing enough to structure our economy like this currently.

📢 📢 I’m hugely excited to be taking on the role of Spokesperson for Social Protection for the @social democrats. It’s an incredibly important brief, and one that I’m passionate about.

The government has chosen to further fill the pockets of those in boardrooms and executive suites rather than tackle the scourge of child poverty in this budget. This is a colossal missed opportunity.

Sandymount Strand was identified in yesterday’s EPA report as one of two beaches in the country with “poor” water classifications.

#sandymount #seaswimming #environment #dublinbay #wastewater

🚨 Ireland’s financial position is precarious - and it seems as if the government has no plan to strengthen it. I believe strongly in creating economic opportunities for everyone, and ensuring we support strong and fair wage growth as well as growing dynamic indigenous companies.

There is no poetry in this government. We must support the most vulnerable people in our society, and that means supporting the people who care for them too. The means test runs contrary to that obligation.

In July, before the Dáil went on summer break, I paid tribute to a friend of mine in the Social Democrats who passed away last year.

Kodzo Selormey was the best of us, someone who came from abroad but loved Ireland, and believed deeply in our duty to make it a better place for everyone.

Coastal flood Insurance coverage is a real problem in my constituency and along Dublin’s coasts. 

We need to deliver more ambitious solutions to address market failures like this, and locals in Ringsend and Sandymount deserve access to adequate coverage.

#coastalmanagement #socialdemocrats

The respite beds provided in places like Royal Hospital Donnybrook are vital. When their funding was under threat, I asked the Taoiseach back in July to commit to the implementation of the Dementia Care services outlined in his own Programme for Government.

#dementia #healthcare #respite

🏦 🏦 The welfare state is one of our greatest endowments as a country - there are none of us who are not supported and protected by it. Ensuring the health of the Welfare State, and in particular our pensions system, is an inter-generational responsibility. 

#pensions #auto-enrolment #welfarestate

🏠🏠The housing crisis affects everyone. I’ve been shocked at the number of people I’ve met who are older who find themselves increasingly impacted by the government’s consistent failure in addressing the problem.

#housing #socialdemocrats #alone #eoinhayes

On my first day back in the Dáil last week, I challenged the Taoiseach on one of the biggest issues facing the country: child poverty.

🚨 The number of children in consistent poverty has doubled in the last two years to 8.5% and is now approaching levels last seen during the austerity-era 🚨