Martin Heydon, TD

Fine Gael Senator for Dublin South-West, Cáit Keane, has today (Thursday) said she is very pleased that for not-for-profit community childcare providers are to be exempt from commercial rates. Senator Keane was speaking after the Minister of State in the Department of Finance, Simon Harris TD, with the agreement of the majority of Seanad members introduced an amendment to the Valuation (Amendment) (No.2) Bill 2012, which will exempt up to 1,000 Community Childcare providers.

Fine Gael TD for Wexford, Liam Twomey has said the Government’s water charges package provides a fair, simple and affordable plan for people ahead of the introduction of water charges next January. Deputy Twomey welcomed the announcement that addresses the concerns expressed over the last few months.

Fine Gael Senator Catherine Noone today (Thursday) called for the revaluating of the term ‘sports drinks’, following reports that many sports drinks had over 10g of sugar per serving and doctors were recommending they be avoided.

Fine Gael TD for Meath East, Regina Doherty, has welcomed the introduction of a new tax relief to help elderly people remain in their homes in their later years. Deputy Doherty was speaking after Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan TD, introduced an amendment to the Finance Act this week to assist families to care for elderly relatives at home by employing a nurse or carer.

various voluntary charitable and statutory agencies currently involved in the provision of youth services; if all requirements have been identified insofar as possible

remains in touch with the various child support agencies with a view to early and strategic intervention in cases of a potential threat to the well-being of children in situations where the extent of vulnerability may lead to depression and/or self-harm

positively intervene to assist children and teenagers who may find themselves attracted to a life of crime by virtue of their environment

children requiring a safe haven outside the home may expect to have their requirements met on an ongoing basis; the number of places available for such children at present

various children support services remain readily available to meet the needs of vulnerable children

extent to which facilities of a corrective and rehabilitative nature continue to be made available to those involved in juvenile crime