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Sunday 28 May 2023 Dublin: 15°C

# Government

All time
# rate my government
Fianna Fáil aren't happy with Leo's tender to review the government's image
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has been putting a focus on how his government is perceived by the public.
# Long Time Coming
FactFind: Why on earth hasn't Ireland ratified the UN's Convention on Disabilities?
It’s 10 years since Ireland signed the Convention. A decade on, the Republic stands as the only EU country which is yet to ratify it.
# Housing
166 vacant buildings held by HSE as government plans to penalise those who own empty homes
The Department of Housing says it doesn’t hold information on properties owned by other government bodies.
# hardship payment
Donegal flood humanitarian scheme to be rolled out for all natural disasters
The financial assistance payment has been paid out to 138 people in Donegal to date.
# recycling
Bottle deposit scheme on the way for Scotland, but Irish government says it's still too expensive
Despite calls from the Green Party to introduce such a plan, the minister is not budging.
# Caught Out
Fresh calls for Garda Commissioner to step down after latest revelations about false breath tests
Questions are being raised after 500,000 more false garda breath tests have been found.
# Facebook Live
Got questions or stories about the Public Services Card? We want to hear from you
We’re holding a Facebook Live on Tuesday evening and we want to hear what you have to say on the subject.
# Radiation
Government says chances of a nuclear disaster impacting Ireland is low - but there is a risk
The costs associated with such a disaster range from €4 billion to €161 billion,
# robbing peter
What's the point of having a childcare subsidy if under-pressure creches are just going to raise fees?
Many creches across Ireland are increasing their fees in parallel with the introduction of a new €20 weekly subsidy aimed at easing the financial burden on parents.
# wherefore art thou
It's his baby, so where on earth is Paschal Donohoe on the PSC?
Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe is as culpable as anyone when it comes to the furore surrounding the Public Services Card. So why is he keeping such a low profile?
# Media
Varadkar says his new separate PR unit has cost nothing to date
Those in opposition have dubbed the new communications unit the Taoiseach’s own “spin machine”.
# Homelessness
Restoring social welfare and an empty home tax: Peter McVerry Trust's plan to fix the housing crisis
Today, the Peter McVerry Trust will announce the details of its pre-Budget submission.
# plastic bag ban
Anyone who gets caught with a plastic bag in Kenya could face a €31,000 fine or four years in prison
The ban came into force today but has sparked a lot of criticism.
# Parliamentary Question
92 on-duty ambulances involved in road 'incidents' so far this year
Since 2010, 892 incidents have happened on Irish roads involving National Ambulance Service vehicles.
# Human Rights
UN criticises government for failure to prosecute abuse perpetrators in Magdalene Laundries
The UN Committee Against Torture is critical of the government’s record in a number of areas.
# drip drip drip
The long, slow process to refund almost €170m in water charges
The government must decide how best to repay people and avoid another PR disaster.
# party like it's
New poll shows Irish Government at its highest approval ratings since 2011
The election of Leo Varadkar as Taoiseach seems to have had a positive effect on the electorate from Fine Gael’s point of view.
# water under the bridge
The Government plans to start refunding water charges from autumn
It is estimated that the refunds will cost in the region of €160 million.
# Behaviour and Attitudes
Micheál Martin is well ahead of Leo Varadkar in the satisfaction ratings
According to the latest Sunday Times behaviour & Attitudes poll, satisfaction with Martin as party leader is at 54%, compared to 43% for Varadkar.
# pay inequality
'The start of Paschal's troubles': Primary teachers reject public sector pay deal
The INTO said that the pay deal did not address the issue of pay inequality for newcomers to the profession.
# rebuilding ireland
Government's 'over-reliance' on private rental sector could cost €23.8 billion over 30 years
A new report argues that investment should be made into local authority housing as opposed to privately owned homes.
# Spectrum
New bill to support children with autism after 20,000 people sign petition for it
About 600 children are born with autism in Ireland every year.
# plain packaging
Tobacco giant Philip Morris ordered to pay Australian government millions
The order comes after the failed attempt to sue the country over its plain packaging laws.
# Money Money Money
Explainer: What is this 'rainy day fund' we keep hearing about?
We take a look.
# Disability
'He pinned my arms down and he strangled me': Couple with challenged son call for more support
Edel Dooley and her husband Anton spoke this morning on RTÉ’s Today with Sean O’Rourke about their eight-year-old son Jacob.
# Buckingham Palace
Royal family set for bumper year of income as €419 million renovation on Buckingham Palace starts
The refurbishment is set to replace electrical wiring, water pipes and boilers in the biggest overhaul since the 1950s.
# pluses and minuses
Siptu recommends its members accept government's 'pay restoration' deal
The union said that “on balance”, the pluses outweighed the negatives on the deal.
# Controversy
'New politics, my foot': Mayhem in the Dáil as TDs get heated on Máire Whelan row
The government again faced fierce criticism for its handling of the appointment this evening.
# hasn't helped
Help-to-buy scheme may be scrapped admits Housing Minister
Eoghan Murphy said that the possibility the help-to-buy scheme had had the opposite effect to that intended is “a concern”.
# everyday i'm reshufflin
New legislation required for Minister Mitchell O'Connor to receive extra €16k allowance
Mitchell O’Connor lost her role as a senior minister at the cabinet table in Leo Varadkar’s reshuffle.
# pledging support
Independent Alliance confirms it will support Leo Varadkar as Taoiseach
The five IA members will vote for Varadkar next week.
# lansdowne 2.0
Public service pay deal is 'fair to workers and taxpayers' - Donohoe
A draft deal to succeed the Lansdowne Road agreement was reached late last night.
# fear
'It's like living in a nightmare': Venezuelan student terrified of returning home
Protests have been building in the capital Caracas for months.
# Housing
€9 million to be made available this year for Traveller housing
The accommodation includes group housing and halting sites for Traveller families.
# no big rush
Just one in four of Ireland's key Brexit positions have been filled so far
Only 13 of 50 new Brexit roles created at Irish State agencies have been recruited.
# Housing Adaptation Grant
The government is giving almost €60 million towards home improvements for older people
The Housing Adaptation Grant scheme provides aid for older people and people with disabilities.
# weighty issue
Poll: Should waste companies be charging extra for heavy bins without approval?
Greyhound this month started charging extra for bin bags over a certain weight, with Panda set to follow suit in July.
# Ransomware
Ibec calls for more funding to protect businesses following cyber attack
The call comes after a global ransomware attack on Friday which targeted businesses and state services across the world.
# help i need somebody
Has the government delivered on its 'ultimate goal'? One year in, here's how it has fared
Last week we looked at its record on health and housing. This week we’re looking at jobs and education.
# root and branch
She's been chosen to lead the review of gardaí in Ireland but who is Kathleen O'Toole?
O’Toole is the current Chief of Police in Seattle, and has experience in Irish policing.