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Tuesday 28 March 2023 Dublin: 12°C

# Government

All time
# approved
'White collar crimes will not be tolerated': Cabinet backing for new anti-money laundering laws
The new bill will give enhanced powers to the gardaí and the Criminal Assets Bureau, Minister Charlie Flanagan said.
# Reshuffle
Leo hints at a Cabinet reshuffle in the summer
Varadkar indicated that he would most likely reshuffle the cabinet following the European and local elections.
# Landlords
The government is paying €88m to rent private properties - but it also owns almost 100 empty buildings
Fianna Fáil has called it ‘ridiculous’ that one will be liable for the vacant sites tax next year.
# microbeads
The government is declaring war in 2019 (on single-use plastics)
Unnecessary use of the plastics will be completely banned in the public sector.
# A long time coming
Future Irish elections and referendums will be overseen by a new Electoral Commission
A public consultation on what structure and responsibilities the Commission will have has been launched today.
# Electoral Reform
The government wants to know if you're okay with it using your PPS number to clean up the electoral register
Duplication on the register is rife and changes are needed to ensure Ireland has a modern electoral register, says the minister.
Trouble in the ranks: 'We've a health and housing crisis and our solution is to keep Fine Gael running the show'
Micheál Martin announced this week that he would extend the confidence and supply arrangement with Fine Gael.
# pay outs
Redress Board work cost €1.1bn, while abused residents in industrial schools get €970m
The awards are made to those abused while resident in industrial schools.
# before it's too late
'We are way off target': All-government plan to be drawn up on climate action
Climate Action Minister Richard Bruton has recently purchased an e-car, and said a change of behaviour is needed to tackle climate change.
# Fine Gael Ard Fheis
'It is not going to happen': FG rule change to copper-fasten promise not to enter coalition with SF
Fine Gael heard a rallying call at its Ard Fheis last night for the party to be election ready.
# Fine Gael Ard Fheis
Varadkar says FG can look proudly to its record in 'caring for families'
Varadkar said Fine Gael is a “compassionate party” that has a role in offering a helping hand to those that need it.
# exceptional needs
State has covered the cost of 5,000 funerals and burials over two years
Exceptional needs payments can be made under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme.
# Opinion Poll
Support for Fine Gael remains strong ... but 44% of voters in favour of general election
That’s according to the latest Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI opinion poll.
# NEW POLITICS
Government loses in Dáil as opposition votes to declare national housing emergency
It is not binding, however, on the government to follow through on the actions contained within the motion.
# a fine mess
Taoiseach meets with former Fine Gaeler Fitzpatrick after he said party has become 'style over substance'
The Louth TD had been a vocal campaigner to retain the Eighth Amendment in the Constitution, at odds with his wider party.
# wage packet
TDs get a pay rise totalling nearly €1k today
The pay boost comes under the Public Service Stability Agreement which aims to restore public servant wages.
# New Laws
Here are just some of the government's priorities for the months ahead
Renting, judge’s appointments, microbeads and noise at the airport – just some of the issues the government plan to tackle.
# Back to Work
After a 68-day break, the Dáil is back. Here's what's on the agenda
Post office closures, blasphemy and the long-delayed alcohol bill are up for debate as the Dáil resumes.
Voices
'Trump's mood and tone on his Irish visit will be shaped by what happens the week before'
The mid-term elections in the US could become a referendum on Trump’s presidency, writes Larry Donnelly.
# Women for Election
Mixed reaction to step back from gender quotas for local elections
Political parties that run at least 30% female candidates in next year’s local elections will get funding for an equality officer.
# only bidder
National Broadband Plan 'hanging on a thread' as SSE pulls out of National Broadband Plan
It’s part of the consortium that was the only bidder to deliver the government’s plan.
# tuam site
'Putting our shameful past behind us': Mother and baby home forum meets for the first time
How to memorialise the past, as well as what health and well-being supports are needed for former residents will be discussed.
# ag caint as Gaeilge
Government to fund US and Canadian students to come here to learn Irish
American and Canadian students will visit Ireland during the summer months to attend intensive Irish language courses in the Gaeltacht.
# public consultation
Tuam: Ex-residents and families want further excavation and DNA analysis
Galway County Council received 799 written submissions on what to do with the Tuam site where a mass grave was found.
# Justice
Motion seeking redress for victims abused as children passes despite government opposition
The government argued that the State’s responsibility can’t be established through a conviction.
# mortgage to rent scheme
'Completely misjudged' or necessary investment? Private companies offer mortgage-to-rent scheme
This would be done under the government’s mortgage-to-rent scheme, with the owners becoming council tenants.
# Education
Government announces 800 additional SNAs in schools for next term
This will bring to 15,000 the number of SNAs working in schools – a 42% increase on 2011.
# Child Protection
Children's rights groups angry at Dáil vote setting digital age of consent at 16 (they wanted it to be 13)
The government had put forward a proposal to set the digital age of consent at 13.
# stepping down
Sean Canney quits the Independent Alliance
He announced the move this morning.
# free gp care
Government approves plans to give 14,000 carers free GP cards
Health Minister Simon Harris said that he knew of the difficulties faced by carers in Ireland.
# slap on the wrist
'It was not an appropriate comment to make': Minister slapped down for comments about coalition with Sinn Féin
Junior Minister Jim Daly said he has “no ideological objection” to Sinn Fein being in government with Fine Gael.
Voices
Play golf on paternity leave? You're lucky to have time to breathe
The government is reportedly considering making paid paternity leave mandatory for all new fathers.
# Riots
68 people killed in Venezuelan jail fire
The blaze at the detention facility in Carabobo state is the latest in a series of deadly incidents.
# Cervical Cancer
'It could have saved my life': HSE launches information campaign on the HPV vaccine
The vaccine’s uptake rates have risen to 67% since the first phase of the campaign was launched in August last year.
# Funding
County breakdown: Here's how much is being spent tackling illegal dumping
An anti-dumping initiative supported 229 projects across the country last year.
# backstop
People are unsure if the government is doing a good job on Brexit
A large portion are happy but significant numbers don’t know.
# Opinion Poll
Just under half of people trust the government
One in five people aren’t sure what they think, according to a new poll.
# Advertisements
'A distraction': Review will look at abolishing the Strategic Communications Unit
The SCU has come in for fierce criticism in recent weeks.
# retirement ready
From 2022, workers will be 'auto enrolled' on pension savings schemes
The government has also announced a new “total contributions approach” to pensions from 2020.
# stay warm
Government will offer an extra week of fuel allowance during the cold snap
The decision means that fuel allowance recipients will now automatically receive €45 for this week instead of the usual €22.50.