CE Supervisors STILL have no pension. In July 2008, the Labour Court recommended that an agreed pension scheme should be introduced for Community Employment (CE) scheme supervisors, to be funded by FÁS, the agency responsible for CE at that time, but now with the Department of Social Protection. Yet CE Supervisors STILL have no pension.There are people who have worked 20 years or more as CE supervisors, who have supported and trained thousands of people to find good jobs, while 8 years after that Labour Court ruling, there is still no pension for them. This shocking when you consider that it is the Department of Social Protection that funds all Community Employment schemes and supervisors. It is time to take action on that Labour Court ruling. So we ask the incoming Minister of Social Protection to step up and put a pension plan in place for CE Supervisors. Don't put it off any longer....

Article 40.3.1 of our Constitution states the following:“The State guarantees in its laws to respect, and, as far as practicable, by its laws to defend and vindicate the personal rights of the citizen.” On 19 August 2014 the UN Human Rights Committee, in its most recent Concluding Observations on the Irish State, under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, stated: “The Committee reiterates its concern at the lack of a definition of terrorism under domestic legislation and the continuing operation of the Special Criminal Court. It expresses further concern at the expansion of the remit of the Court to include organised crime” (arts. 14 and 26). “The State party should introduce a definition of ‘terrorist acts’ in its domestic legislation, limited to offences which can justifiably be equated with terrorism and its serious consequences. It should also consider abolishing the Special Criminal Court.” We all should have the right to a fair trial. We all remember the case of Nicky Kelly who was found guilty by this arbitrary court and then subsequently given a presidential pardon. It has abused its mandate in the past and will do so again. Amnesty International and the Irish Council of Civil Liberties have both called for its abolition, neither are friends of republicans to say the least. Allegations of internment by remand have been made against the Court regarding the detainment of accused defendants who have appeared before it and are now in Prison despite not being convicted of any wrongdoing.

Ireland has international humanitarian obligations to act and respond to this crisis. The crisis in Syria is resulting in millions of displaced people forced to flee for their lives and their safety. People power forced the government to agree to an increase in the number of refugees last year. Now we must step up again to make the government live up to this commitment.

Johns Lane West and Brú Aimsir hostels give shelter to almost 150 people who are former rough sleepers in Dublin. They are both set to close in the coming weeks. This will result in the loss of 150 beds for those sleeping rough. Focus Ireland and Peter McVerry Trust who currently run the hostels have not revealed how they plan to accommodate these people who will be forced back onto the streets with the closure of these hostels. The residents have been told they must ring the freephone in Parkgate St to find alternative accommodation. With an already critical shortage of beds, this will only put added strain on a flawed system which puts people in direct competition with each other, having to spend all day trying to get through to the freephone phoneline, often to simply be told there are no beds available. The Irish Housing Network demands: Dublin City Council, Peter McVerry Trust and Focus Ireland put a transparent plan in place with the residents of the hostels in providing suitable accommodation for those affected by the hostels’ closure. Long term social housing stock is immediately turned over for homeless people and families through the building of housing and opening and refurbishment of empty homes. Tenant’s rights for those in emergency accommodation so they cannot be evicted without notice and are protected under tenancy legislation. Rights for Travellers and Roma people in the ability to practice their culture and have well maintained and provisioned sites available throughout the country, including the restoration of traditional roadside stopping places.

Ireland has a commitment to live up to its international humanitarian obligations

The housing shortage in Co. Mayo is serious. Many families are living with extended families in stressful overcrowded situations. The shortage in the rental market makes it very difficult to find suitable housing. Boarded up council houses should be renovated to house those in need. Emergency accommodation being used should be fit for purpose. To encourage the council to make progress on this, we are want people to sign this campaign to ask Local Councilors and TD's to make it there business to put housing at the top of their list. To ensure emergency accommodation being provided is fit for purpose, and to make renovating boarded up council houses a priority. Also to make finding funding for renovations a priority in the Dail. 145 council house empty as of September 2014.

Making sure that all workers are paid at least the living wage of €11.45 per hour will create a better standard of living for all people. It will reduce poverty, boost local economies and ensure an inclusive society for all people. For more info on fair working conditions, visit: http://www.ictu.ie/charter/

Twelve percent of the population of Ireland are migrants, of whom so many have the right to vote. Migrants bring enterprise and initiative, and in order to actively participate in Irish society, migrants must be visible in all spheres of Irish life and be represented proportionally to our number in the Irish population in all decision making processes. Irish political actors have done little or nothing to reach out to immigrants during elections. Integration has dropped off the radar and from the programmes of all political parties. A diverse republic needs inclusive politics and institutions that reflect the composition of a diverse society. Government bodies and local authorities need to do much more to engage with immigrant communities. We, the Migrant-Led Coalition, are calling on all politicians and candidates to sign up to our election manifesto and pledge to represent the needs of their migrant constituents.

Since pre-industrial times, our world has warmed by a global average of almost 1 degree celsius, due primarily to greenhouse gas pollution from human activities. This has already triggered serious planetary-scale climate disruption, and is having devastating humanitarian impacts on vulnerable communities in diverse geographical regions. But we are not powerless. We can still act: both to limit the speed and ultimate severity of global climate impacts, and to brace our own society for the potentially drastic shocks ahead due to the climate disruptions we have already initiated. This will require urgent and radical societal transformation. That can only happen with the willing engagement and support of the people. We need a genuine, sustained process that allows every single citizen and community in Ireland to fully consider the range and nature of the changes we face, and to advance policies and actions that are commensurate with them. Only in this way can we hope to create the unity and solidarity that is essential to create a strong, resilent, and genuinely sustainable society. We need a Citizens' Convention for a Post-Carbon Ireland.

-Education is a right not a privilege-The United Nations Conventions on the Rights of the Child states the following:States Parties recognize the right of the child to education....States Parties agree that the education of the child shall be directed to the development of the child’s personality, talents and mental and physical abilities to their fullest potential(Articles 28,29) -Without the education setting of the Cork Life Centre the young people accessing it would have no suitable alternative educational placement. -Alternative models of education such as our centre need to be recognised and funded. At present in Ireland up to 10% of young people on average do not complete secondary level education. It is more than obvious that one size does not fit all. -Funding is an ongoing struggle for the Cork Life Centre-at present we are in receipt of just €47,500 in direct funding from the Department of Education and Skills. When one considers that it costs €9,000 per child per annum in the mainstream system and our setting offers a range of additional supports and is asking for just €5,000 per student the lack of response of the government does not make financial sense. -Education by its very definition should be holistic and meet not just the learning needs of young people but also their social and personal needs. At the Cork Life Centre our first priority is to create a warm and welcoming community where young people can build relationships with trusted and supportive adults as well as their peers.

Just when we thought Ibrahim was coming home, the finish line was moved again by the Egyptian courts. This time, the verdict has been delayed until September 18th. The next three weeks are crucial. The Irish Government must show that they are willing to take legal action unless Ibrahim is granted his freedom.

The Department of Social Protection is meant to be responsible for fighting homelessness, not making conditions even more unbearable for rough sleepers in Dublin city centre. The recent installation of anti-homeless devices at the Department office building on Amiens street is an unacceptable measure, described in the following terms by the Director of Inner City Helping Homeless (ICHH) Anthony Flynn: "[From] the department that is supposed to look after our vulnerable people...This the most unsympathetic way of dealing with the homeless crisis, it's a 'not in my doorstep attitude' and we certainly condemn it." Accountability, however, has been lacking in the responses of both the Department of Social Protection and the Office of Public Works, which apparently manages the building in conjunction with a private landlord. But it's time for government to stop shirking responsibility. An Tánaiste Joan Burton is also Minister for Social Protection, and TD Simon Harris is Minister of State with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works. Let's call on them to take action against this appalling measure, and to advocate immediately for the removal of all anti-homeless devices from Gandon House.