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Saturday 19 September 2020
Last week we looked at its record on health and housing. This week we’re looking at jobs and education.
It’s been exactly one year since the current crop of TDs took their seats in Leinster House for the first session of the current Dáil. Here’s what’s happened over the year in photographs.
Septic tanks, dry-cleaning receipts and Michael D’s knees – just some of the strange things we never thought we’d obsess about in a political context… but we do now.
From ETA’s ceasefire to the Queen’s visit, here the issues that saw members of the 31st Dáil getting media attention over the past 12 months.
Check out how national opinion polls have tracked the main parties and Independents since the 31 Dáil took office.
‘You don’t need to tell me that it’s been a tough year,’ Kenny says.
Fine Gael’s photo op to mark one year in power wasn’t cancelled because of a mix-up – but because nobody wanted to go.
TheJournal.ie has drafted its own indepth report card on what Fine Gael and Labour did, and didn’t, do in 20 areas of policy over the past 12 months.
The Labour-Fine Gael coalition took its place in the 31st Dáil on this day one year ago. How do you think it has performed?
The government’s first year in office has seen Twitter debates over Miss Piggy, print toner and internship schemes.
Kathleen Lynch is in charge of ensuring that the disabled and minorities are given a fair deal. How has she done so far?
Alan Shatter has been one of the most pro-active ministers in the current government – but one year on, what has been achieved in the area of justice and law reform?
Small firms have long complained about the shortage of credit to get them up and running. How has Richard Bruton responded?
The government has promised major political reform – but has it fulfilled its promises, one year in?
Phil Hogan and Pat Rabbitte have been tasked with keeping us green and energy efficient. How have they done?
How has Pat Rabbitte gotten on in implementing the promises of the Programme for Government? We’ve had a look.
Has Joan Burton kept the government’s promises of reversing cuts while keeping all baseline social welfare rates unchanged?
How has Simon Coveney done in implementing the promises in the Programme for Government? We take a look.
Political reform was a hot topic in the election that saw Fine Gael and Labour take power. So what’s happened since?
The government promised to deliver a lot of changes in education – but one year in, has it delivered?
One year in, has the government fulfilled its promises on fixing the health system?
Distressed mortgages, social housing, ghost estates, homelessness – how has the government done in the area of housing in its first year?
Increasing tourism is seen as one of the most important ways for Ireland to revive the economy. How has Leo Varadkar done?
The unemployment crisis has been one of the biggest issues facing the government. One year in, what has it achieved on the jobs front?
One year ago, the government created a separate Department of Children for the first time – but has it lived up to its promises?
Ireland had pledged to legislate for the UN2020 and Kyoto targets. Has the new government been eco-friendly?
How has the government managed on its promises for public transport, speed limits, taxi regulation and more?
The government promised to cut public sector numbers, increase accountability and improve performance. What’s happened?
We look at the progress made by Eamon Gilmore and Lucinda Creighton in their pledges to change our wider relationships.
It’s possibly the single biggest issue facing the government – but how has it dealt with the troika deal and banking in its first year?
The ‘year in office’ photocall planned for Merrion Square is called off after Pat Rabbitte labels the event “a bit silly”.
The government will today publish a report on its progress after 12 months in power, but there won’t be data on each minister.
MORE THAN THREE-quarters of people would support the government looking into the prospect of a four-day work week, according to a new survey.
This means doing the same job for the same salary, but over four days rather than five.
There have been calls for this idea to be explored already and the Four Day Week Ireland campaign today released details on its public attitude survey conducted last month.
Two out of three respondents said a four-day work week is “realistic and achievable” in the medium term.
67% of employers said they support the idea and 46% said it would be “feasible” to trial in their workplace.
“The four-day week, with no loss of pay, offers the potential of a genuinely better future for workers and employers alike,” said Joe O’Connor, director of campaigning with Fórsa trade union.
What may once have seemed like a radical concept is now, for many, a reasonable and rational ambition. The Covid-19 pandemic has further disrupted societal and workplace norms, while illustrating the potential for very different models of work.
So today we’re asking: Would you support a four-day work week?
Poll Results:
Share your story: voices@thejournal.ie
Breezy this morning; otherwise, clearing
Max: 14 °C
Min: 11 °C
Mostly sunny
Max: 16 °C
Min: 8 °C
Some sun; fog early in the day
Max: 20 °C
Min: 12 °C
