Parties focus on jobs, housing and hospital hygiene

Jobs, housing and hospital hygiene will dominate the agenda of today’s General Election campaign.

The Taoiseach will be canvassing in the Ballyfermot and Crumlin areas of Dublin.

Earlier he will attend the Fianna Fáil commemoration of the 1916 Rising at Arbor Hill. He will later view a surrender letter written by Padraig Pearse in the National Museum at Collins Barracks.

Fine Gael will focus on hygiene awareness in hospitals and leader Enda Kenny is to hand out hygienic hand gel outside the Rotunda Hospital. He will later visit Dublin Central as well as Longford/Westmeath.

Labour will launch a policy document on better workplace standards with proposals to protect employment legislation.

Party leader Pat Rabbitte will spend the morning in Kerry South before campaigning in Kerry North in the afternoon.

The Progressive Democrats will launch a poster campaign focusing on “long-lasting prosperity”.

The Greens will launch specific manifestos for Dublin and Galway while leader Trevor Sargent will later canvass in Co Galway.

Sinn Féin is to announce proposals for a major Government-led housing strategy.