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The Social Democrats have confirmed that implementation of Sláintecare within the next five years will be a red line issue for the party in any forthcoming programme for government negotiations. The party set out their position at the launch of their Health and Social Care policy today, which was attended by health spokesperson Róisín Shortall, […]

The legacy of this government will be a broken, dysfunctional housing system Confirmation that house prices are continuing their relentless increase is a further reminder of what’s at stake in this general election, according to Social Democrats deputy leader Cian O’Callaghan. “The CSO has today confirmed that we are continuing to see double digit increases […]

The Social Democrats today announced plans for a €10 million fund to bring Palestinian children to Ireland for education, cultural exchanges and medical treatment. The proposal is contained in the party’s ‘Positive Neutrality’ policy document, which was launched by foreign affairs spokesperson Gary Gannon, and Patricia Stephenson, the Soc Dems’ general election candidate in Carlow-Kilkenny. […]

The Social Democrats today published their general election manifesto. The party’s deputy leader Cian O’Callaghan said: “The Civil War parties are now the Phoney War parties. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are trying to derail this election by engaging in relentless bickering. “This focus on petty rivalry suits the outgoing coalition partners – because instead […]

The Social Democrats today announced details of a multi-billion-euro disability plan that the party would implement in government. The policy was launched by Sinéad Gibney, the Social Democrats general election candidate in Dublin Rathdown. The document sets out how the party would additionally spend an average of €1.1 billion per year, between 2026 and 2030, […]

Fine Gael is scraping the bottom of the barrel with this proposal Taoiseach Simon Harris must clarify if Fine Gael is proposing the introduction of detention centres for international protection applicants in the party’s general election manifesto, according to Social Democrats integration spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “Fine Gael’s manifesto states that it is committed to implementing […]

The Social Democrats today outlined proposals to make education genuinely free; aim to remove faith formation from the school day; and provide emotional supports in schools for primary and second-level students. The party’s education policy was launched by Gary Gannon (Dublin Central candidate), Cllr Jen Cummins (Dublin South-Central candidate) and Cllr Ronan Moore (Meath West […]

The Social Democrats today held an event in Cork to set out the party’s vision for healthcare. Cllr Pádraig Rice, who is running for the party in Cork South-Central, said: “We need a healthcare system that is based on need and not ability to pay. When you are sick you shouldn’t have to pay €60 […]

The Social Democrats pledged to put availability and affordability centre stage at the launch of their housing policy today. The policy was launched in Marino, Dublin, by housing spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan and general election candidates Cllr Jen Cummins (Dublin South-Central) and Ross O’Mullane (Dublin South-West). The document outlines how the Social Democrats, in government, would […]

The Social Democrats today launched their policy on Climate Action and Nature Protection. The policy was launched by Jennifer Whitmore, spokesperson on climate and biodiversity, and Cllr Joan Hopkins, the party’s candidate in Dublin Fingal East. The document outlines how, in government, the Social Democrats will create a revised Climate Action Plan that will allow […]