News

The government must reflect on the use of biometric facial scans by State bodies following the €550,000 fine handed down to the Department of Social Protection by the Data Protection Commission (DPC), according to Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s spokesperson on social protection, said: “It has today been confirmed […]

The government has finally abandoned their plan to spend €9m on phone pouches for schools but are still refusing to give schools autonomy over how the money is spent, according to Social Democrats Education spokesperson Jen Cummins. “In the Dáil today, the Tánaiste announced a screeching government u-turn. Instead of their much vaunted plan to […]

The government’s shambolic announcement of rent reforms has created mass confusion and will leave tenants open to exploitation, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “Rather than provide certainty for renters, the government’s pathetic attempt at rent reform has turned into a complete omnishambles that will […]

Dublin City Council’s failure to ensure adequate living conditions in social housing is a detriment to the health of its residents, according to Social Democrats TDs Jen Cummins and Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Cummins, who represents Dublin South-Central, said: “Emmet Buildings is just one of dozens of examples in my constituency where the quality of social […]

Our primary schools cannot be expected to survive on inadequate capitation grants that don’t come close to meeting rising running costs, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins, who is a TD for Dublin South-Central and the party’s spokesperson on education, said: “According to the Catholic Primary School Management Association (CPSMA), a record […]

Rolling back on approved social housing projects is another example of the government’s constant retrograde steps that are worsening the housing crisis, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “It is incredulous that, at a time when it should be doing everything it can to support the building of social housing, […]

In the wake of the UK sanctioning two Israeli government ministers for inciting violence and violating human rights in Gaza, the EU must do the same, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “The EU response to the genocide in Gaza has been shameful. It has failed to suspend the […]

The Taoiseach cannot continue to talk out of both sides of his mouth when it comes to protecting Ireland’s marine environment, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on the marine, said: “Speaking in France this week at the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), the Taoiseach said he […]

The government has set out to create a perfect storm that will see homelessness soar even further, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “The Taoiseach was too ashamed by today’s plan to admit that every six years, rent regulation as we know it will effectively be wiped out, with landlords […]

Children are being failed by the government’s inability to tackle inter-generational poverty, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “The latest Child Poverty Monitor report published by the Children’s Rights Alliance is deeply concerning. It confirms that the number of children in consistent poverty in […]