News

Kilkenny’s growing alcohol and cocaine problems must be tackled, says TD

By Colin Bartley 16th July 2021 0

A local TD has called on the Government to address growing alcohol dependency and cocaine use in Kilkenny. Deputy Kathleen Funchion spoke out after new data shows Kilkenny recorded the highest number of cases treated for problem alcohol use between 2014 and 2020. The latest Health Research Board (HRB) National Drug Treatment Reporting System bulletin […]

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‘A vital lifeline’ – Kilkenny TD urges Government not to withhold child benefit for older teens

By Colin Bartley 9th July 2021 0

A local TD has called for child benefit to be paid for 16-18 year olds over the school holidays. Deputy Kathleen Funchion spoke out after it emerged many families expecting the payment this week did not receive it. The Carlow-Kilkenny TD, who is also Sinn Féin’s frontbench spokesperson for children, said many parents did not […]

News

Kilkenny TD urges support for new law to ban rent hikes

By Colin Bartley 7th July 2021 0

A local TD is calling for support for a new Bill to prohibit rent increases for all existing and new tenancies for three years. Deputy Kathleen Funchion said the Bill, if passed, would give many tenantssome much needed security in the midst of a severe housing and rental crisis. The Carlow-Kilkenny TD said: “The Ban […]

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‘Extremely disturbing’ – Kilkenny TD criticises local rival for walk out on Special Criminal Court vote

By Colin Bartley 30th June 2021 0

A Kilkenny TD has hit out at a constituency rival after her party walked out of the Dáil during a vote on the powers of the Special Criminal Court. Local Fine Gael TD John Paul Phelan described the actions of Sinn Féin deputies, including Carlow-Kilkenny TD Kathleen Funchion, as “extremely disturbing”. Deputy Phelan accused the […]

News

‘Beyond worrying’ – Kilkenny TD says State is failing domestic abuse victims

By Colin Bartley 24th June 2021 0

Domestic violence victims in Kilkenny and across the country are being failed by the State, a local TD has claimed. Deputy Kathleen Funchion spoke out in the wake of distressing findings contained in the recently published Women’s Aid annual report. The report revealed there has been a massive 43% increase in contacts with the domestic […]

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‘People deserve the right to retire on full pension at 65’ – Kilkenny TD

By Colin Bartley 23rd June 2021 0

A local TD is fighting to restore the right to retire at 65. Deputy Kathleen Funchion has called on all TDs to back her party’s motion to restore the right to retire at 65, which will come before the Dáil next week after being debated in Leinster House yesterday. The Carlow-Kilkenny TD said people who […]

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‘Appalled and disgusted’ – Kilkenny TD says Mother and Baby Homes report must be scrapped

By Colin Bartley 12th June 2021 0

A local TD has said the controversial Mother and Baby Homes report cannot stand and must be rejected. Deputy Kathleen Funchion, who is chair of the Oireachtas Children’s Committee, said members of the Mother and Baby Homes Commission have treated survivors with ‘absolute contempt’ following their refusal to appear before the Oireachtas. The

Jobs News

‘This must not be allowed to happen’ – Kilkenny TD slams plans to overhaul Local Employment Services

By Colin Bartley 10th June 2021 0

Employment services in Kilkenny must be kept as community based enterprises, a local TD insists. Carlow-Kilkenny TD Kathleen Funchion has urged the Government to remove the profit-focused approach for the new Local Employment Services (LES) and return to focusing on individual needs. Deputy Funchion spoke out as it emerged the Government is seeking tenders from […]

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‘Vulnerable children’ hit hardest by pandemic – Kilkenny TD

By Colin Bartley 5th June 2021 0

A local TD has welcomed a report which shows children and young people in disadvantaged areas have been disproportionality impacted by Covid-19. Deputy Kathleen Funchion was speaking following the publication of data by the Irish Youth Foundation which reveals children and young people in the Traveller, Roma and migrant communities have been more affected by […]

Business News

‘Time to end insurance rip-off and reduce premiums’ – Kilkenny TD

By Colin Bartley 1st June 2021 0

A local TD is calling for support for new legislation that would force insurers to pass savings onto customers. Carlow-Kilkenny TD Kathleen Funchion and her Sinn Féin party colleagues have drafted legislation that would require the insurance industry to provide information to the Central Bank about claims. If passed, the legislation would bring about a […]