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RTÉ News
22-07-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
5 takeaways from the revised National Development Plan
Telephone-sized numbers allied to giant levels of aspiration, the Government has gone all in on infrastructure spending in this plan. But with the billions flying around and the totals growing ever larger in recent days, is this just "hype" as Labour's Marie Sherlock labelled it? The Government's plan will ultimately be judged on delivery and that will take years. For now, here are five things we have learned from the big announcement. Housing There's no mistaking that the core of this plan is all about delivering homes at scale, with €40 billion earmarked for housing and related water services. This is made up of €28 billion for housing itself along with further funding to remove blockages like insufficient electricity connections or a lack of water and waste water services. Taoiseach Micheál Martin said today that housing is the biggest social challenge. But the opposition has reacted sceptically with Sinn Féin's Pearse Doherty saying there are no extra social and affordable homes planned. While Labour has noted that the funding allocated to housing tapers down towards the end of the plan. Big Picture This NDP differs from previous versions as it only sketches out in broad terms the capital funding allocations for Departments as well as extra money for utilities. That means there is no long list of local projects attached to the announcement so no specific roads, local hospitals or schools. The Government says Departments will now take their allocations and work on specific details. Expect another announcement ahead of the Budget with Ministers and TDs heralding local projects. The only big infrastructure project cited is Dublin's Metrolink which will get €2 billion. Metrolink Long promised and never delivered, a Metrolink for Dublin has been announced several times over. But the Government now says it wants the train to leave the station with €2 billion of what is being termed ringfenced strategic funding. What's clear from comments today is that this is intended to send a signal to potential construction companies that the Irish Government is serious about the project. It is designed as an assurance that the Metrolink will be paid for and delivered. The aim is to entice bidders during the procurement phase expected to follow a positive planning decision. Plan B During the crash, capital spending was completely slashed and the repercussions of that decision are still being felt today. Housebuilding stopped, infrastructure projects were dropped and utilities were left underfunded. This time is different according to the Government. If there is a downturn, capital spending will be prioritised at the expense of day-to-day spending. And that spells political danger as it could mean real cutbacks to services already dealing with the usual inflationary and demographic pressures. Inflation Inflation remains a feature of the economy even if the rate of increase has slowed. But will the rise of €34 billion deemed "new spending" in this plan over the previous one actually just cover price increases for existing projects rather than delivering new ones? The Government has denied this is the case. But few would doubt that inflation will eat into the value of the extra money.
Extra.ie
22-07-2025
- Health
- Extra.ie
Cutting costs: Vasectomies could soon be free across Ireland as men urged to 'step up'
Vasectomies may soon be offered for free across the country, the Health Minister has confirmed. Jennifer Carroll MacNeill was responding to a question by Labour's Marie Sherlock TD, who told the Dáil that it was time for men to 'step up' and stop relying on women to use contraceptives. Responding to a parliamentary question from Ms Sherlock, Ms Carroll MacNeill agreed that there was 'significant inequity of access' to vasectomy, both geographically and based on ability to pay, and that the Government is now considering free access to vasectomies across the country. Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. Pic: Stephen Collins/ Collins Photos She said that the Department of Health's National Sexual Health Strategy is 'committed to scoping the potential for expanding access to male and female sterilisation', including vasectomies for men. The Minister also said that a strategy will be created 'as soon as possible in 2025.' Vasectomies are currently available without cost to some medical cardholders. Ms Sherlock told the Dáil: 'The responsibility for family planning shouldn't just fall on the woman's shoulders. There's a simple, relatively pain-free procedure that a man recovers from within a very few short hours, but obviously it has a transformative impact on the family. Marie Sherlock. Photo: RTÉ. 'We have to make sure in the whole family planning conversation that men step up and take their responsibility seriously. There's a real inequality of access to the service, and particularly outside of the main urban areas,' she said. 'There's a crucial issue here about how we encourage and incentivise doctors to take on the service, and crucially, then from the department of health perspective, that there is a decent geographical spread of these services across the country.' However, Aontú leader, Peadar Tóibín, last night questioned whether the Government should be offering free vasectomies while Ireland's fertility rates continue to plunge. Peadar Tóibín. Pic: Fran Veale Mr Tóibín said: 'There are major questions in relation to where the Government is going in relation to this. So what we've seen in the last decade is a collapse in the fertility levels. They're lower now than the replacement rate, which means there's going to be significantly fewer children in future than there were in the past.' The fertility rate for 2024 stood at 1.5, a decrease of 0.5 from the 2014 fertility rate of 2.0. This is still higher than the European average, which stands at 1.38 births per woman in the EU. In Malta, the fertility rate stands at 1.06, compared to 1.81 in Bulgaria. Mr Tóibín warned that Ireland will create 'lopsided demographics, which means there will be fewer young people to be able to work, to provide the taxes to pay the pensions for people into the future. 'Good governance means a balanced demographics, and actually, at this moment in time, that means encouraging families to have more children. 'There's no doubt that the housing crisis is hammering families. They're delaying having children, and they're living, oftentimes, young couples in their parents' box room, which means that they can't have children and it's later and later until people are getting mortgages.' He went on: 'The cost of childcare is prohibitive for many, many people, and also the abortion rates have increased from about 3,000 abortions a year in 2018 to spiking well over 10,000 now.' 'All of these issues are pushing down the number of children that have been born. We should be giving families the economic confidence to be able to raise their children, to be able to have children, and so that we have a vibrant society and economy into the future.' Ryan Murphy, the operations manager at Sandyford, Dublin-based clinic said that vasectomies could not be accessed in multiple areas of the country, creating a 'two-tier system'.
The Irish Sun
11-07-2025
- Climate
- The Irish Sun
Is it too hot to work? Workplace heat warning amid calls for legally defined max temperature rules & wage compensation
THERE have been calls for legally defined max temperature rules and protection for employees as the mercury rises to a sweltering 32C this weekend. Met Eireann has placed 14 counties under an 18-hour Status Yellow high temperature warning today and issued the same alert for the entire country tomorrow. Advertisement 3 Temperatures will reach highs of 32C this weekend Credit: 3 Marie Sherlock said employers need to ensure protections are in place for workers Credit: Niall Carson/PA Wire Labour's Health Spokesperson Marie Sherlock warned that workplace heat poses potential A status high temperature alert has been issued today for Carlow, Deputy Sherlock has called for the introduction of legally defined maximum temperature limits for And she warned that workers must not be left out of pocket if their workplace closes early due to the risk posed by extreme weather. Advertisement READ MORE IN NEWS She said: 'Climate change is increasingly exposing workers across the world to occupational heat stress. Ireland is not immune to this. 'While temperatures hitting 30C may feel like a novelty in Ireland, the reality for some workers is far from pleasant — and, in some cases, it may be dangerous. 'These temperatures can be particularly difficult for those working in spaces with poor ventilation or lack of air conditioning and for those working outdoors, they may be in the absence of easily available water and shade.' Deputy Sherlock insisted that rising temperatures are not 'just a short-term summer issue'. Advertisement MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN Breaking She explained: 'Climate change is altering weather patterns in Ireland. Two dead including child as France smashed by storms with Paris hit with flash floods & 39,000 lightning strikes "We are more likely to see prolonged heatwaves and temperature warnings becoming a regular feature of working life. That must be met with a proper legal response." The Labour TD echoed the European Trade Union Confederation's call for a Directive to establish binding maximum working temperatures, alongside mandatory heat risk assessments. She said: 'Ireland cannot afford to be left behind on this. In Germany, a workplace has a normal maximum temperature of 26C. In Spain, a maximum temperature is set at 27C for work spaces. Advertisement 'We also support clear legal definitions of heat stress, the development of workplace heat management plans in cooperation with trade unions, and increased resourcing of labour inspections to ensure compliance.' Now facing higher summer temperatures due to climate change, she warned that action must be taken to protect workers' health and safety. WAGE COMPENSATION CALL Sherlock continued: 'Critically, employers must be compelled to assess risks based on temperature, humidity, and airflow, and consider vulnerabilities including age, pregnancy, migrant status, and precarious working conditions. 'Government must also explore financial supports such as wage compensation for workers impacted by work stoppages due to heat. That's about basic fairness. Advertisement 'In advance of any legislation being enacted, our appeal is to employers to do the right thing, put protections in place for workers and ensure no worker is out of pocket for workplaces being closed early.' A status yellow high temperature Sherlock added: 'We have the evidence, we have the warnings, and now we need the legislation. 'Maximum temperature limits must be introduced in law for all workplaces. Advertisement 'We need comprehensive legislation to prevent occupational heat stress, ensure fair and safe working conditions, and enforce employer responsibilities — especially for the most vulnerable workers." 3 Labour is calling for maximum temperature limits for all workplaces Credit: Getty
Irish Examiner
09-07-2025
- Health
- Irish Examiner
'Exceptionally challenging' to report abuse and neglect in nursing homes
Too many people in nursing homes or centres for people with disabilities are at risk of serious and often preventable harm, the Oireachtas health committee heard on Wednesday. The committee was meeting with members of Safeguarding Ireland and the Irish Association of Social Workers (IASW) and heard of neglect, abuse and widespread financial abuse. Much of the discussion focused on nursing homes in light of mistreatment of residents at Emeis nursing homes revealed by RTÉ. Safeguarding Ireland chairwoman Patricia Rickard-Clarke warned: 'The closed nature of nursing homes makes it exceptionally challenging for either residents or staff to speak up and report abuse or inappropriate care.' She said it was now over a year since the Law Reform Commission published an analysis of the gaps in policy and legislation. In April 2024, the proposed draft adult safeguarding legislation pointed to the need for an adult safeguarding authority. 'While the current focus is welcomed, it should not require an exposé to generate political and public engagement on the exploitation of adults in Ireland,' she said. She also stressed abuse happened within families, especially financial abuse, with little State oversight of who draws down pensions, for example. 'There is a lack of real understanding of what is happening at the coalface,' she told Labour health spokeswoman Marie Sherlock. "I suppose in our culture in Irish society — particularly if you take older people — decisions are made for them, their money is taken from them and everybody turns a blind eye." IASW chief operations officer Caroline Walker Strong also focused on the increasing reliance on institutions. 'Older people enter nursing homes and rarely return to participate in community life,' she said. 'They are never again seen in their local restaurants, at their GAA club, or library. Why? In other jurisdictions, the connection between residents and their local communities are nurtured.' Sarah Donnelly, associate professor of social work at University College Dublin and IASW adult safeguarding adviser, called for awareness of what abuse is. 'Our very chequered past history in terms of Emily, Grace, Brandon and RTÉ Investigates is very clear evidence that often poor care is constructed as not-institutional-abuse,' she said referring to scandals exposed in recent years. She noted low staffing levels and bad pay for carers in centres and in homecare was the 'elephant in the room' when it came to making reforms work. Safeguarding Ireland board member Mervyn Taylor raised concerns about how large many nursing homes had become. 'If you look at that RTÉ programme, you will see effectively a hotel-style design,' he said, noting physical design of buildings impacts culture in any environment. 'Why are we talking about large numbers of people, some places are as big as the local hospital. They can be broken down to small units whereby people have to interact with each other, they can relate far better. That is good design.' Read More Rise in number of older people leaves Government facing major funding challenge
The Journal
08-07-2025
- Business
- The Journal
Jack Chambers told to shill Ireland's 'uncluttered airspace' for drones ahead of aviaton event
OFFICIALS IN THE Department of Transport have been pitching Ireland as a potential 'global leader' for commercial drones, touting our 'uncluttered airspace' as an area where we have 'the edge' for the development of a drone-based services sector. Ahead of his appearance at an international aviation conference in late 2023, then minister of state in the Department of Transport, Jack Chambers, was briefed on areas related to drones where Ireland was in a position to perform strongly. Top of the list given to the minister, which has been seen by The Journal , was the claim that Ireland has the potential for the development of a drone-based services sector. The stance taken by the Department of Transport came just months before an Irish drone start-up, Manna, began testing a drone food delivery service in Dublin 15 . Manna has since completed over 170,000 deliveries in the area. Since testing began, local residents and councillors have been raising concerns about noise and privacy as a result of the drones. Drone-based delivery services have been expanding in the capital, with Uber Eats recently announcing a trial introduction. Advertisement Opposition TDs have called for regulation of the sector, with the Dáil recently being told of the 'dystopian future' that lies in store without it. The details of the drones briefings provided to government ministers were released via a Freedom of Information request submitted by Labour TD Marie Sherlock. 'We have a wild west situation in our communities where commercial drones are operating overhead with no planning regulations with regard to privacy, security, and noise,' Sherlock said. 'Residents in Glasnevin have been raising genuine concerns with me. We know that this is also a significant issue in Blanchardstown too. 'It's a sad reality that Government has been encouraging companies to operate here while treating our communities as guinea pigs. And yet, there are absolutely no protections in place beyond those set down by the Irish Aviation Authority,' she said. The Dublin Central TD has called on the Government to urgently publish its long-promised national policy framework in relation to the use of commercial drones. The framework, which is intended to set out the priorities for the development of the sector in Ireland, was initially promised in 2023. The Journal understands the Department of Transport is hoping to publish it before the Dáil summer recess next week. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
