News

The Government is completely removed from the reality of the financial pressures faced by schools across the country, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s education spokesperson, said: “The results of a poll carried out by the Catholic Primary School Management Association are extremely concerning. A survey of 1,440 […]

Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan has expressed concern after new figures show that Government funding for housing adaptation grants have not kept pace with the rise in Ireland’s ageing population. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s spokesperson on housing, said: “The funding allocation announced by the Department of Local Government shows that 13,000 grants will […]

Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan has responded to figures published today showing that the number of people living in homeless accommodation has risen above 14,000 for the first time. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “There are now 14,009 people living in homeless emergency accommodation – the highest ever recorded in the […]

Failed Government housing policy is having a major impact on the physical and mental health of families, according to Rory Hearne, the Social Democrats’ Midlands-North-West candidate in the European Elections. Mr Hearne, who is a housing campaigner, author and lecturer, said: “Today’s ESRI report lays bare the human cost of the housing crisis. The study […]

It is scandalous that Ireland is facing billions of euros in fines because of the Government’s failure to meet its climate targets, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate and biodiversity, said: “According to the latest Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report, Ireland is set to miss […]

Social Democrats health spokesperson Róisín Shortall has again questioned why a model three hospital for the mid-west region is only being considered now. “At today’s Oireachtas Public Petitions Committee, I asked the Minister for Health why it has taken him four years to consider a model three hospital for the UL Hospital Group. “Every other […]

In light of RTÉ’s own spectacular u-turn, the Social Democrats have again written to RTÉ to reiterate our request that our Ireland South candidate Susan Doyle be allowed to participate in the upcoming tv debate RTÉ’s decision to change the qualifying criteria for its tv debate for Limerick’s directly elected mayor means there is no […]

A damning report from the Housing Commission highlights how the Government rejected a long list of practical solutions to the housing crisis, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “The report from the Housing Commission presents a scathing picture of this Government’s ‘ineffective decision making and […]

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has warmly welcomed the Government’s decision to recognise the State of Palestine but called for further pressure on Israel to end the carnage in Gaza. “The Social Democrats have long called for the Government to match its strong words of condemnation with action – and this is a historic move […]

Getting rid of best before dates would dramatically reduce food waste in Ireland, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate and biodiversity, said: “At today’s meeting of the Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action, I pointed out that a million tonnes of food is thrown […]