# Regina Doherty
Last year
2022
# irish embassy opening
Coveney stresses value of 'diplomatic channels' amid row over Tehran embassy
Opening an Irish embassy in the Iranian capital is being kept under review.
# Income Tax
'Not right' pay increases for workers should be gobbled up by tax, USC and PRSI, says Varadkar
The Tánaiste says it is a Government commitment to index tax bands and credits.
All time
# peat sake
New peat legislation slammed as ‘incompatible’ with climate targets and EU law
The Bill, fast-tracked by Fine Gael and Fianna Fail senators, would remove the need for planning permission to extract peat for horticultural sector use.
Legal experts argue that new peat legislation disregards strict EU environmental law, writes Niall Sargent as part of Noteworthy investigation of peat extraction
Bill would give planning exemption to peat extraction for horticulture and pause any ongoing enforcement action until at least 2026
Peatland experts are also concerned the Bill is ' not compatible' with our climate action goals
# Fine Gael
Fine Gael distances itself from councillor's comments that child benefit can be a 'subsidy to have sex'
Cllr David McManus said he did not mean to cause offence by his comments.
# outdoor summer
Calls for 'urgent' one-off grants to help restaurants and bars develop outdoor summer seating
The Tánaiste has said he will ask Fáilte Ireland why 18 counties have been excluded from one hospitality scheme.
# Dog walkers
Senator criticises 'phenomenal' amount of poo in Irish villages
Senator Doherty said people do not want to be “on the bag” while walking their dog.
# Covid-19
'We need to get a plan B': Senator Regina Doherty calls on government to end use of 'rolling lockdowns'
The former minister urged the government to change its approach to Covid-19.
# factcheck
Debunked: No, a Fine Gael Senator is not being paid €150,000 to sit on the board of Pieta House
None of the members of the board of Pieta House are paid for their work.
# Regina Doherty
School meals for children to be provided over the summer, government confirms
There had been calls for the school meals programme to be extended over the summer.
# CONFIRMED
Pandemic payments to continue until August, with reduced PUP for part-time workers from 29 June
It follows a cabinet meeting today.
# Liquidation
'Disservice' to prevent Debenhams worker protests, says Regina Doherty
Last month, Debenhams announced it would not be reopening its stores, leaving 2,000 staff unemployed.
# Unemployment
Tourism, food and construction worst-hit by Covid-19 job losses
Social protection minister Regina Doherty said she would hope construction workers would be returning to work soon.
# New Arrivals
Birth registrations move online as 4,000 babies go unregistered due to Covid-19 restrictions
Up to now, parents could only register the births of their children in person.
# Coronavirus
Regina Doherty defends pandemic payment but admits system isn't 'perfect'
The social protection minister admitted that some students might be receiving more from the scheme than they would normally have earned.
# Regina Doherty
'I know people are afraid... but we will not run out of tests', minister says amid reports of delays for Covid-19 test
“We’re trying to do in a number of days [what] would probably take months, if not years, to set up,” Regina Doherty explained.
# Regina Doherty
Changes to Covid-19 payment could come as soon as next week, says minister
The government is working on a number of options regarding the payment, Regina Doherty said.
# Support
There have been 58,000 applications for the Covid-19 unemployment payment
Minister Regina Doherty said 43,000 of those applications have been processed so far.
# Rents
Landlords need to recognise 'we're all in this together', says Regina Doherty
The Minister for Social Protection was speaking on RTÉ Radio One this morning.
# not returning
How FG tried and failed to keep two outgoing ministers in one constituency
Doherty’s party colleague Helen McEntee was re-elected.
# gone
Mary Mitchell O'Connor and Regina Doherty lose seats in first major Fine Gael casualties
Solidarity-People Before Profit’s Ruth Coppinger has lost her seat.
# the candidate podcast
Leo keen to stay on if FG loses election - and insists he's not interested in a big EU job
‘As a last resort’ Varadkar said he’ll go into government with Fianna Fail to avoid another election.
# waiting staff
FactCheck: Has Fine Gael's Regina Doherty ensured waiting staff are legally entitled to 100% of their tips?
The claim was criticised by Sinn Féin who called it “false and misleading”.
# Money Money Money
New measures to see increases in some social welfare payments from this week
Pensioners and people with disabilities who are living alone are the main cohort of social welfare recipients to benefit.
# Extra pay
Minimum wage to increase to €10.10 per hour from February
The proposed introduction was initially deferred because of uncertainty over Brexit.
# Unemployment
Concerns that thousands spent on Jobseekers forced to do JobPath programme for a fourth time
The two private companies operating JobPath have been paid €207m.
# unlawful basis
'I won't lower myself': Angry clashes at committee as Doherty defends government stance on PSC
There were testy exchanges between the minister and committee members in the Oireachtas this morning.
# Festive Cheer
Christmas bonus will be paid out to 1.2 million social welfare recipients at start of December
The cost of the Christmas bonus this year will be €279.4 million.
# state pension
54% of women who had State pensions reviewed after 'cruel' 2012 changes will get more money
Changes to the State pension in 2012 meant carers who took time off work received less in their State pension.
# swing-gate
'I don't know how she's still standing': Doherty sympathetic to Bailey but declines to express election support
It comes as Fine Gael members voted for a review of the Dun Laoghaire election candidates following ‘Swing-gate’.
# jobspath macht frei
'Jobpath Macht Frei': Condemnation after 'extremely offensive' sign placed at Cork Welfare office
The slogan “arbeit macht frei” is known for appearing on the entrance of Auschwitz.
# Caged
'I'm on call 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week': Family carers stage protest outside the Dáil
Several carers spoke today about the huge amount of work they do looking after loved ones.
# Annual Report
Number of births in Ireland continue to decrease as number of deaths increase
In 2018, a total of 61,901 births were registered in Ireland, down from 62,919 the year previous.
# return to work
'Returnships' to be introduced to help women get back into the workforce
Minster Regina Doherty said women often lack the “confidence and belief in themselves” to return to work after a long period of time.
# PSC
Minister accused of damaging Ireland's reputation by appealing the Data Commissioner's PSC findings
The minister says she has no choice but to appeal the findings in court.
# Jobseekers
JobPath scheme extended by one year to help with 'labour uncertainty' from Brexit
Controversy has overshadowed the scheme over the years due to complaints from users of the service.
# PSC
So, what do you need a Public Services Card for right now?
The government is ploughing ahead with its support for the card, but what do you need it for right now?
# Public Services Card
Top civil servant not attending committee is 'an affront to democracy'
Chairperson John McGuinness says committee wants to discuss the cost of the PSC to date.
# PSC
Criminal sanctions possible if government ignores watchdog’s orders on Public Services Card
The long-awaited report into the card was published yesterday evening.
# Public Services Card
Government claims that withdrawal of PSC could be illegal as it sets up battle with data watchdog
A long-awaited probe into the legality of the card was published this evening.
# Welfare Fraud
750,000 social welfare claims to be reviewed as part of Government clampdown on fraud
The Department aims to save €530 million by tackling fraud over the next four years.
