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The government must accept its housing plan is a disaster and adopt a radically different approach, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne, who was speaking ahead of this evening’s Raise the Roof protest. Deputy Hearne said: “This government claims that housing is their highest priority, but where is the evidence of that? “House […]

Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins has criticised the government for its failure to ease the financial burden of school uniform costs on families. Deputy Cummins, who is the party’s spokesperson on education, said: “This is an issue that has been sitting on the desks of successive Ministers for Education for nearly a decade. “In fact, […]

While a targeted second child welfare payment would be effective in reducing child poverty, it’s of paramount importance that its implementation is subject to in-depth planning, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “I was struck to hear yesterday that the Taoiseach is not ruling out a two-tier child benefit system […]

Social Democrats senator Patricia Stephenson has called on the EU’s anti-fraud watchdog to launch an investigation into the Irish government’s failure to inspect flights into Shannon that may be facilitating Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza. Senator Stephenson, who is the party’s spokesperson on foreign affairs, said: “There is credible evidence that military contractors and private […]

Today’s publication of a summary of findings and recommendations into a 2022 examination of a clinical department in Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) does not provide a level of detail sufficient to serve the public interest, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s spokesperson on health, said: “CHI’s internal review […]

Lack of clarity from the government on when funding will be provided to implement the recommendations of the Dublin City Taskforce is disappointing, but hardly surprising, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who represents Dublin Central, said: “Having neglected Dublin city centre for 14 years in government, Fine Gael suddenly developed a […]

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 […]