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The Social Democrats today published a range of proposals to support families, including improved paid leave arrangements for parents; a right to flexible work options; and building a public model of early childhood care and education. The policy will be launched by children’s spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore and Cllr Jen Cummins, the party’s general election candidate […]

Maintaining Ireland’s neutrality, improving pay and conditions for serving personnel, and enhancing supports for veterans are among the key areas prioritised in the Social Democrats’ Defence and Security policy, which was published today. The policy was launched in Newbridge by Cllr Chris Pender, the party’s Kildare South candidate, and justice spokesperson Catherine Murphy. In government, […]

The Soc Dems have made the appointment of a senior minister for disability a dealbreaker for government formation talks Disabled people, their families and workers in the sector have all been failed by the outgoing government, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. “A woman who met Simon Harris on the campaign trail was upset […]

The Social Democrats today published their manifesto for young people, which commits to increased investment in areas such as youth work, education, mental health, sport and recreation, and transport. The policy was launched by Cllr Aidan Farrelly, the party’s candidate in Kildare North, and justice spokesperson Catherine Murphy. The strategy outlines how, in government, the […]

Statement from Soc Dems deputy leader Cian O’Callaghan on Simon Harris’ attack, in today’s Irish Times, on the Soc Dems’ tax plan. “Simon Harris is clutching at straws and is clearly struggling to explain how Fine Gael can propose large tax cuts and massive spending increases during this election campaign. “This is an especially difficult […]

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, […]