16/10/2019
Other News In Brief
Govt Failing The LGBT Community Over Family Rights-FF
Fianna Fáil has accused the government of failing the LGBT community when it comes to family rights.
By law, parents who choose to adopt are entitled to a period of paid leave from work. Currently, an employed adopting mother or a single father is entitled to 24 weeks' adoptive leave and the associated benefit.
There is an anomaly in the law whereby male same-sex couples who adopt jointly are not eligible for adoptive leave even though they can adopt. The Government has been promising to fix this since 2016.
The party's Spokesperson on Justice and Equality Jim O'Callaghan said: "Despite the issue having been highlighted for more than three years, the Government defended this on the spurious grounds that they 'physically did not have the time' to prepare the relevant provisions.
"I submitted amendments that, if accepted, would ensure that adopting male same-sex couples would be entitled to adoptive leave and benefit. Hours before the debate on the Bill was due to start, the amendments were rejected on the basis that, if passed, they would have the 'potential to impose a charge on the revenue'.
"This is a real issue that is affecting real lives and real people. If a child is placed with a gay married couple before this is fixed, they won't get the same entitlements to time with their parents as a child placed with a heterosexual couple. It is inconceivable that the Government simply did not 'have time' to prepare legislation to fix this," concluded Deputy O'Callaghan.
Remote Work In Ireland Employee Survey Launches
The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation has launched a Remote Work in Ireland Employee Survey.
Members of the public are urged to set aside two minutes of their time to complete the survey, regardless of whether they work remotely or not.
The survey can be accessed online.
Submissions will feed into the Department's research process and overall action plan to prepare Ireland for tomorrow's economy.
Disposal To Move Forward At Ballinasloe Hospital
Plans to dispose of the St Brigid's Hospital site in Ballinasloe, Co Galway, are set to move forward shortly, it has been confirmed.
Fine Gael Senator Maura Hopkins raised the issue in the Seanad yesterday, 15 October, with Minister of State Finian McGrath also issuing an update.
Minister McGrath confirmed that Oak Grove House is the last building which is still in service and purpose built accommodation is currently being developed. Once this building is vacated the HSE will proceed with the disposal of parts of the St Brigid's Hospital site and lands that are surplus to requirements.
Senator Hopkins commented: "I have requested time-frames to be given on when this disposal is likely to happen. The protocol for disposal or sale of State Assets includes the transfer to another public body or State Agency or open market sale. Community uses will be considered if the first two options do not materialise. I want to see this site remain in state ownership so it can provide an avenue for economic growth for the town.
"The OPW has recently completed a report on the future of the site and it is currently with the property management section within the OPW. I want to see this report published as soon as possible.
"Ballinasloe is ideally located with direct motorway access to both Dublin and Shannon Airports, it is served by the Dublin Galway rail line and the campus is served by high speed broadband.
"I am ambitious for the future of the St. Brigid's site because we need ambition in order to realise the potential of the campus.
"It will not be an easy task and it is one which will require a significant level of investment. I will continue to advocate strongly for this site in order to secure that necessary funding," she concluded.
(JG)
Fianna Fáil has accused the government of failing the LGBT community when it comes to family rights.
By law, parents who choose to adopt are entitled to a period of paid leave from work. Currently, an employed adopting mother or a single father is entitled to 24 weeks' adoptive leave and the associated benefit.
There is an anomaly in the law whereby male same-sex couples who adopt jointly are not eligible for adoptive leave even though they can adopt. The Government has been promising to fix this since 2016.
The party's Spokesperson on Justice and Equality Jim O'Callaghan said: "Despite the issue having been highlighted for more than three years, the Government defended this on the spurious grounds that they 'physically did not have the time' to prepare the relevant provisions.
"I submitted amendments that, if accepted, would ensure that adopting male same-sex couples would be entitled to adoptive leave and benefit. Hours before the debate on the Bill was due to start, the amendments were rejected on the basis that, if passed, they would have the 'potential to impose a charge on the revenue'.
"This is a real issue that is affecting real lives and real people. If a child is placed with a gay married couple before this is fixed, they won't get the same entitlements to time with their parents as a child placed with a heterosexual couple. It is inconceivable that the Government simply did not 'have time' to prepare legislation to fix this," concluded Deputy O'Callaghan.
Remote Work In Ireland Employee Survey Launches
The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation has launched a Remote Work in Ireland Employee Survey.
Members of the public are urged to set aside two minutes of their time to complete the survey, regardless of whether they work remotely or not.
The survey can be accessed online.
Submissions will feed into the Department's research process and overall action plan to prepare Ireland for tomorrow's economy.
Disposal To Move Forward At Ballinasloe Hospital
Plans to dispose of the St Brigid's Hospital site in Ballinasloe, Co Galway, are set to move forward shortly, it has been confirmed.
Fine Gael Senator Maura Hopkins raised the issue in the Seanad yesterday, 15 October, with Minister of State Finian McGrath also issuing an update.
Minister McGrath confirmed that Oak Grove House is the last building which is still in service and purpose built accommodation is currently being developed. Once this building is vacated the HSE will proceed with the disposal of parts of the St Brigid's Hospital site and lands that are surplus to requirements.
Senator Hopkins commented: "I have requested time-frames to be given on when this disposal is likely to happen. The protocol for disposal or sale of State Assets includes the transfer to another public body or State Agency or open market sale. Community uses will be considered if the first two options do not materialise. I want to see this site remain in state ownership so it can provide an avenue for economic growth for the town.
"The OPW has recently completed a report on the future of the site and it is currently with the property management section within the OPW. I want to see this report published as soon as possible.
"Ballinasloe is ideally located with direct motorway access to both Dublin and Shannon Airports, it is served by the Dublin Galway rail line and the campus is served by high speed broadband.
"I am ambitious for the future of the St. Brigid's site because we need ambition in order to realise the potential of the campus.
"It will not be an easy task and it is one which will require a significant level of investment. I will continue to advocate strongly for this site in order to secure that necessary funding," she concluded.
(JG)
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Ireland WeatherToday:Mainly dry this morning with sunny spells then scattered showers breaking out this afternoon. A chilly start then feeling warmer in afternoon sunshine. Light southerly winds. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:Any showers at first soon dying out. Then dry overnight with clear periods and turning chilly with a touch of frost later tonight. Minimum temperature 1 °C.