Minister for Social Protection, Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys will be in Bantry on Friday to meet the local community and participate in an event to plan for the future of rural communities.

Reconnecting with our diaspora will be an essential strand of a new tourism project which will be tasked with attracting international tourists to Ireland, Fine Gael Senator Aisling Dolan has said.

Senator Seery Kearney, Fine Gael’s Seanad Spokesperson for Children, said: “Budget 2023 introduces major reforms to the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) from January 2023, which will substantially improve the affordability of early learning and childcare for families.

Income tax changes announced in Budget 2023 that take effect from tomorrow will put more money back in people’s pockets to help them to better deal with the cost of living crisis, Minister of State at the Department of Finance, with responsibility for Financial Services, Credit Unions and Insurance, Jennifer Carroll McNeill has stated.

Installing solar panels on car parks across the country would increase Ireland’s renewable energy supply, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

A new campaign on period poverty aimed at local authorities is much needed to spread awareness, a Fine Gael TD has said.

A standard minimum length should be applied to bus tickets on Public Service Obligation (PSO) and commercial services, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

The Young Adult Card (YAC), which provides an average 50% public transport fare discount to those aged between 19 and 23, should be extended to 25-year-olds, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

Targeted enforcement and high visibility policing has led to a 36% reduction in burglaries and property-related crime, according to Fine Gael Senator Barry Ward.

A revived approach to children’s disabilities will be crucial in increasing therapy services, according to two Fine Gael Senators.