Latest news with #O'Gorman
RTÉ News
19 hours ago
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Green Party leader to attend Pride parade in Budapest despite ban
Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman has said that he will travel to Hungary to attend the Budapest pride parade on 28 June after Hungarian police said they are banning the parade. The march, which would be the city's 30th pride parade festival, is organised in support of the LGBTQI+ community, and had been planned for 28 June. "The police, acting within their authority over public assemblies, prohibit the holding of the assembly at the aforementioned location and time," the police said in a statement published on their website. They added that the decision could be appealed within three days at the country's supreme court. However, Budapest's liberal mayor Gergely Karacsony vowed to hold the march, despite the police ban. "Given that the municipality did not make its announcement within the framework of the law on gatherings, this interdiction has no value," he wrote on his Facebook page. He added: "Budapest city hall will organise the Budapest pride march on June 28 as a city event. Period." Speaking this afternoon, Mr O'Gorman said that the police move is the "most egregious attack" on the LGBTQI+ community seen in decades. "This is a very explicit erosion of the rights of the LGBTI+ community in Hungary. "It's an absolute attempt to silence them by their government. It's a clear breach of human rights. "And that's why it's important that elected reps from all over Europe rally around Hungarians, rally around people in Hungary who see this for what it is and support them at the Budapest parade this year," said Mr O'Gorman. Hungary's parliament, in which Prime Minister Viktor Orban's right-wing Fidesz Party has a big majority, passed legislation in March that created a legal basis for police to ban LGBTQI+ marches, citing the protection of children. Mr Orban's government has a Christian conservative agenda and has been fielding an intensifying campaign against the LGBTQI+ community. It also pushed through constitutional changes in April stipulating that Hungary recognises only two sexes, male and female. Mr Orban previously said that organisers "should not even bother" organising pride in Budapest this year. Mr O'Gorman that the Hungarian government of Mr Orban "has been scapegoating the LGBTI+ community now for many years, and what they've done now is one further escalation".
Irish Independent
4 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Wicklow County Council chief says Tánaiste has not responded to N11 junction closure letter
There has been widespread opposition to the proposals, which form part of the N11/M11 Bus Priority Interim Scheme. Residents protesting the move recently assembled at the sod turning on the new Fassaroe Park and Ride Facility to hand deliver a letter to the chief executive asking her to keep a promise that she would raise their concerns with the Tánaiste Simon Harris and Transport Minister Darragh O'Brien. Following a question from Cllr Joe Behan at the June meeting of Wicklow County Council, Ms O'Gorman indicated she had written to both the Tánaiste and Mr O'Brien with no response. 'All I have gotten is an acknowledgment from the Department of Transport, from the minister's office, nothing further by way of correspondence.' Cllr Melanie Corrigan highlighted the 'huge' public concern that exists around the proposed closure and called on council officials to explore other options to facilitate a bus corridor along the route. Responding to Cllr Corrigan, Ms O'Gorman said they are currently preparing tender documents for phase three of the scheme. 'As part of that process, as part of the brief, we want the consultants to further assess and examine alternatives to the Herbert Road that's currently set out as part of the preferred option. So that will be written in to the new tender document that will be going out shortly.' Speaking after the meeting, which took place on Monday, June 10, a spokesperson for Mr Harris stressed that the Tánaiste 'has made his position on keeping Herbert Road open very clear'. They added: 'He met in person with the residents' group last Tuesday at Kilbride Church, where he reaffirmed his commitment to opposing the closure. 'He also agreed to arrange a meeting between Herbert Road residents and Minister O'Brien. 'Chief executive Emer O'Gorman recently confirmed, in the Wicklow Council chamber, that she has been contacted weekly by the Tánaiste's office regarding the issue.' In addition, the Tánaiste has sent more than 3,000 letters to local residents about the Herbert Road. He has also previously written to the Transport Minister about his opposition to this closure. This article was updated on June 16, 2025 to include comment from Tánaiste Simon Harris's spokesperson. The headline was also altered. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- General
- The Irish Sun
Major boost as thousands more children to qualify for €160 or €285 cash payment under new eligibility rules before Govt
THOUSANDS more children will qualify for a €160 or €285 payment under new plans set to be brought before Government tomorrow. Minister for Social Protection The payment is designed to help parents cover the cost of clothing and footwear for returning to school. Children for whom Foster Care Allowance is being paid currently do not qualify for the annual lump sum payment. The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is worth €160 for children aged four to 11 and €285 for kids aged between 12 and 22. Children and young adults must be between these ages on or before September 30 this year in order to qualify for the set amount. READ MORE IN MONEY Those over 18 must be returning to full-time second level education in the autumn of 2025 in order to be eligible. And the 2025 Programme for Government includes the commitment to examine the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance eligibility criteria to allow flexibility for foster carers. It is estimated that up to 2,300 children for whom Foster Care Allowance is being paid will now qualify for the payment under new plans. MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN Last September, Independent TD Michael Lowry asked if Major warning over emergency social welfare scam texts as thousands could be targeted O'Gorman said he raised the issue with He said: "I can inform the Deputy that I have raised the issue of Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance eligibility in respect of foster children with Minister Humphreys, who has informed that the BSCFA is not payable in respect of foster children as the financial support provided to foster parents by Tusla, the foster care allowance, includes provision for the cost of clothing and footwear for the foster child. "I can assure the Deputy that I will continue to work closely with my Government colleagues and with relevant stakeholders in relation to continuing to seek to improve the suite of supports for foster carers." NO COVER OF EXTRA COSTS MINISTER for Social Protection Dara Calleary last year confirmed that the BSCFA will not cover extra costs parents face ahead of the school year. When asked by But the Calleary said: "Applications for financial support which fall outside the rules and timeframe of the scheme may be considered for an Additional Needs Payment under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme. Any person who considers they may have an entitlement to an Additional Needs Payment is encouraged to contact their local Community Welfare Service." Last year, payments totalling €57.04m were made to more than 149,500 families in respect of 264,400 qualified children. Many families But those who haven't been notified of the payment on their MyWelfare account or through post could miss out on the lump sum. It is expected to be paid out in the week starting on July 7th. And applications for the payment will close until next year on September 30. Those who apply for the cash later in the summer will receive the payment later than others. 1 The BSCFA is €160 for children aged four to 11 and €285 for those between 12 and 22 Credit: Getty Images - Getty
Irish Independent
4 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Around 2,300 foster children expected to benefit again from back-to-school allowance
Social Protection Minister Dara Calleary is expected to bring a memo to the Government tomorrow to extend the initiative to include foster families. It is estimated around 2,300 children in foster care will now qualify for the allowance. The yearly payment offers help to families towards the cost of school clothing and footwear. It is deemed particularly vital during a time of inflation. The allowance for this year is €160 for a child who is aged from four to 11, and €285 for those aged from 12 to 22. To qualify children and young adults must be between these ages on or before September 30 this year. Students aged between 18 and 22 must be returning to full-time second-level education in a recognised school or college in autumn 2025. Last September, the issue was raised by Independent TD Michael Lowry, who asked the then children's minister Roderic O'Gorman if he would ensure foster families were paid the benefit. Mr O'Gorman said at that time Heather Humphreys, whose brief was Social Protection, had 'informed' him that the allowance 'is not payable in respect of foster children, as the financial support provided to foster parents by Tusla, the Foster Care Allowance, includes provision for the cost of clothing and footwear for the foster child'. Mr O'Gorman had at that point said that the rates for the Foster Care Allowance were to rise to €400 a week for a child under 12 and to €425 for those over 12. Families are being reminded the application window to apply for the benefit is now open until September 30. The social welfare payment is a once-off annual means-tested payment. ADVERTISEMENT Applications can be filled out online at My or families can request that a form be sent to them in the post. Those who qualify for the scheme must be receiving a social welfare payment already, such as carer's allowance or benefit; supplementary welfare allowance, disability allowance; one-parent family allowance; working family payment; or jobseeker's allowance or benefit. Others can also qualify, if their household is within the school clothing and footwear allowance income limits, or if they are in an approved employment, education or training support scheme. The weekly income limits to qualify for the scheme for one child are €694. For two children, the income limit is €756. The limit is €818 for three children and €880 for four children.
Irish Independent
4 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Around 2,300 foster children expected to benefit from back-to-school allowance worth up to €285
Social Protection Minister Dara Calleary is expected to bring a memo to the Government tomorrow to extend the initiative to include foster families. It is estimated around 2,300 children in foster care will now qualify for the allowance. The yearly payment offers help to families towards the cost of school clothing and footwear. It is deemed particularly vital during a time of inflation. The allowance for this year is €160 for a child who is aged from four to 11, and €285 for those aged from 12 to 22. To qualify children and young adults must be between these ages on or before September 30 this year. Students aged between 18 and 22 must be returning to full-time second-level education in a recognised school or college in autumn 2025. Last September, the issue was raised by Independent TD Michael Lowry, who asked the then children's minister Roderic O'Gorman if he would ensure foster families were paid the benefit. Mr O'Gorman said at that time Heather Humphreys, whose brief was Social Protection, had 'informed' him that the allowance 'is not payable in respect of foster children, as the financial support provided to foster parents by Tusla, the Foster Care Allowance, includes provision for the cost of clothing and footwear for the foster child'. Mr O'Gorman had at that point said that the rates for the Foster Care Allowance were to rise to €400 a week for a child under 12 and to €425 for those over 12. Families are being reminded the application window to apply for the benefit is now open until September 30. The social welfare payment is a once-off annual means-tested payment. ADVERTISEMENT Applications can be filled out online at My or families can request that a form be sent to them in the post. Those who qualify for the scheme must be receiving a social welfare payment already, such as carer's allowance or benefit; supplementary welfare allowance, disability allowance; one-parent family allowance; working family payment; or jobseeker's allowance or benefit. Others can also qualify, if their household is within the school clothing and footwear allowance income limits, or if they are in an approved employment, education or training support scheme. The weekly income limits to qualify for the scheme for one child are €694. For two children, the income limit is €756. The limit is €818 for three children and €880 for four children.
