“Breastfeeding is a natural part of life.”
State funding
Green Party Minister Catherine Martin says she and her party would ultimately like to see “Universal Basic Income” implemented in Ireland – a policy of providing regular, unconditional payments to all citizens regardless of employment status or income level. #Budget2025
Minister Mary Butler insists that increased mental health funding in recent years is garnering results for children and young people, and that CAHMS mental health waiting lists for youths are falling. #Budget2025
“In the 20 years that I’ve been in politics, I’ve never seen such a blatant attempt by a government to buy an election such as this.” Aontú leader Peadar Toibín TD reacts to #Budget2025.
“I do believe that we need to move forward on this”: Justice Minister Helen McEntee confirms to Ben Scallan that the government will seek to pass hate speech legislation after the general election, during the next government term. #Budget2025
Education Minister Norma Foley says she is “confident” that her measures in #Budget2025 will address the teacher shortage. Question by Ben Scallan.
Enterprise Minister Peter Burke tells Ben Scallan that “the landscape is littered with NGOs” that don’t represent the public’s views, and he adds that the Government will be “forensically” looking at groups that receive State funding in the context of #Budget2025.
Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Charlie McConalogue defends increasing the total fisheries budget by €7m to a new total of €177m in #Budget2025, arguing that “it’s a very significant investment”. Question by Ben Scallan. Question by Ben Scallan.
Gript’s Ben Scallan asks Public Expenditure Minister what “lessons” exactly have been learned from successive cost overruns on State projects. #Budget2025
Gript’s Ben Scallan asks how the State will avoid cost overruns on the Dublin Metro. Ministers Eamon Ryan & Ossian Smyth reply that projects like the National Broadband Plan are on-budget because they “balanced risk” between the State & the contractor as part of the agreement.
It was recently revealed that the OPW’s modular homes for Ukrainians had doubled in cost from €200k to €436k. Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien said that this doubling in cost “frustrates” him, adding that ‘lessons should be learned’. Question by Ben Scallan.