– Free Travel is a core social protection benefit and must be protected – Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Social Protection, Willie O’Dea has said that Fianna Fáil will oppose any attempt to apply an annual charge on the Free Travel Pass. Deputy O’Dea was responding to a report, commissioned in 2014, by the Department of

It is almost possible to feel sorry for Paschal Donohoe…but only almost. As Minister for Public Expenditure, Donohoe has spent the past few weeks scurrying about desperately trying to hold the line on Government spending in advance of the upcoming budget. Fair enough. That is what you would expect any reasonable and astute Minister for

As most of you will already know, my dear and long-time friend Joe Crowley died tragically while canvassing for me on Monday. When I heard the news that Joe had collapsed and died, I don’t think I have ever been as shocked in all my life. Joe was so full of life and was his

It is amazing how many racing analogies pop up when people start talking about elections. The moment the election is finally called is usually greeted with a media cry of “they’re off”, while the commentary of the election contest itself will be filled with phrases like neck and neck, runners and riders, false starts… and

Only 7 applicants shown flexibility in all of 2015 in Limerick According to new figures obtained by Willie O’Dea TD from the Department of Social Protection, there were only 7 cases in Limerick where flexibility has been shown throughout all of 2015 regarding the rental cap compared to 235 in Cork. This is despite the fact that Community Welfare Officers

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Social Protection and Social Equality Willie O’Dea has outlined the party’s priorities over a five-year term including reforms to social welfare and pensions system. Deputy O’Dea said Fianna Fáil is committed to new measures which will reform and enhance the social welfare system, while supporting families and older people. Deputy O’Dea

Politicians are fearing the worst, and rightly so, writes Willie O’Dea Some while back I observed that you can identify the TDs who have decided not to contest the next election by the Zen-like serenity they exude as they walk around Leinster House. That is not to say that every retiring TD is calm. This

The cuts to home help hours for older people in Limerick are nothing short of disgraceful and are another example of the Government’s failure to keep the promises it made in order to get itself elected.  Fine Gael and Labour committed to increasing home help supports year on year.  What has happened is the complete

It is sickening to think that there are a massive number of vacant housing units owned by the Local Authority sitting idle. This is at a time when thousands of people are on the housing list in Limerick and emergency homeless shelters are running out of space to accommodate the escalating crisis. Minister Alan Kelly

“I am amazed that lone parents are not doing cartwheels of delight, given the golden age which the Minister has announced will be ushered in for them from next Monday on. I am positively flabbergasted at the Government’s mulish, dogged and persistent refusal to face reality here. The reality is that at least 10,000 families,