News

Fundamental problems with how the School Transport Scheme operates must be resolved before eligibility is expanded, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “I welcome plans due to come before Cabinet today to reduce the pick-up radius to 2km for both primary and secondary school […]

Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan has responded to figures published today showing that the number of people in homeless accommodation has risen by 213. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “There are now 13,531 people living in homeless emergency accommodation – the highest ever recorded in the history of the State. “Shockingly, […]

The latest Daft.ie report shows that rents outside of cities are continuing to skyrocket, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “Ireland’s record-breaking rents continued to rise by 6.8 per cent in 2023. People looking for a place to live now face average rents of €1,850 […]

Media Minister Catherine Martin has serious questions to answer about her own handling of the crisis in RTÉ, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. “The Minister is claiming she was kept in the dark about exit packages agreed with senior RTÉ executives last year. If this is the case, then it is clear the […]

The Taoiseach has committed to ratifying the Optional Protocol for the UN Convention on the Rights of People With Disabilities in the term of this government – he must now provide a precise date, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. “Last night, Minister for Disability Roderic O’Gorman said “Ireland is falling down in terms […]

House prices in Ireland are continuing to rise and show no signs of stopping under this Government, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s spokesperson on housing, said: “The latest Residential Property Price Index from the CSO paints a grim picture for those hoping to buy a home of […]

The Children’s Rights Alliance Report Card 2024 shows that the State is failing to deliver on key child welfare commitments contained in the Programme for Government, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “The report card, published today, offers a bleak assessment of the Government’s […]

The planned expansion of the School Transport Scheme must be rolled out in tandem with a major overhaul of the system, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “According to reports over the weekend, Minister for Education Norma Foley is working on an expansion of […]

I want to welcome you all here this evening to the Social Democrats Conference. I also want to warmly welcome the people watching at home on their TV and everyone tuning in on social media. Thank you, to my Deputy Leader, Cian O’Callaghan, for his kind introduction. Anyone who knows Cian will be aware that […]

The sale of the Beacon Hospital in south Dublin represents a missed opportunity for the Government to deliver on a key Sláintecare commitment, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “It emerged this week that a deal has been reached to sell the Beacon Hospital to the asset management wing of the Australian owned […]