Legislation to establish exclusion zones around medical facilities must be expedited to ensure safe access to abortion services and should include a ban on anti-abortion advertising in the surrounding areas, a Fine Gael TD has said. Dublin Mid-West TD Deputy Emer Higgins recently raised the need for a ban on advertising in areas around medical facilities providing abortion services, with An Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, who signaled his commitment to the issue. Deputy Higgins said,

I was delighted to take part in Senator Barry Ward's podcast - The Irish Legislation Podcast. I joined Senator Ward, along with Orla O'Connor, director of the National Women's Council of Ireland to speak about my Bill on boardroom gender quotas which is currently before the houses of the Oireachtas. You can listen to the podcast episode here: https://podcasts.apple.com/.../the-irish.../id1533809444

Young people will benefit from a range of Budget measures which will help them with cost of living pressures, a Fine Gael TD has said. Emer Higgins, who represents Dublin Mid West, said: “We must recognise the significant challenges facing young people and to help them meet their full potential in education, the jobs market and indeed all walks of life. “I am pleased Budget 2022 contains a range of measures to assist them, particularly after Covid -19 which saw them sacrifice

Here are some of the highlights of budget 202. You can also view my full Budget 2022 update here: + €5 in the main weekly welfare payments + €5 State pension + €5 in weekly fuel allowance payment (takes effect from tonight) Means-test for Carer's Allowance to be broadened - Thousands more carers + €10 Back to School Allowance More lone parents will also be eligible to receive Back to School Allowance Double payment of welfare allowances at Christmas Freeze of childcare fees F