News

The Social Democrats today accused Fine Gael of failing families as new research shows that Ireland ranks among the worst in Europe for meeting people’s childcare and homecare support needs. The party’s Spokesperson for Children, Wicklow Cllr Jennifer Whitmore said: “Ireland’s appalling poor ranking in today’s ESRI study shows the utter emptiness of the Taoiseach’s […]

The co-leader of the Social Democrats has said she finds it staggering that Minister Regina Doherty and her Department reject the findings of the Data Protection Commissioner’s report into the Public Service Card and will refuse to comply with the recommendations of the report. Speaking following the publication of the report and the Minister’s appearance […]

Social Democrats’ Dublin City Councillors today voiced strong opposition to current plans for the development of O’Devaney Gardens and urged the council to come up with proposals for public housing on the site that is genuinely affordable. Cllr Gary Gannon said: “The O’Devaney Gardens site is one of the largest tracts of public land currently […]

The Social Democrats today called on the Minister for Disabilities to reverse the axing of the Rehabilitative Training Allowance for students with disabilities and to reinstate the €31.80 weekly payment for new students. Dún Laoghaire Councillor Dave Quinn said: “This modest allowance has enabled hundreds of school leavers with disabilities to undertake vital rehabilitative training […]

Social Democrats Councillor Carly Bailey has said much more urgency is needed from government to tackle soaring insurance premiums that are damaging small businesses and social enterprises around the country. Rathfarnam-Templeogue Councillor Bailey said: “Today’s research by the Public Participation Networks shows that nearly half of community and voluntary groups have had to reduce their […]

The Social Democrats today called on the government to prioritise the protection of public services and living standards against Brexit. The call was made ahead of the party’s annual Think-In in Dublin, which is exploring ways to tackle living costs, increase capacity in public transport and ensure better work-life balance. Party co-leaders Róisín Shortall TD and […]

The Social Democrats have reacted with dismay to the news that the Government will legally challenge the findings of the Data Protection Commissioner’s report pertaining to the Public Services Card (PSC). The Government are planning to use the courts to defend the continued use of the card and have refused to publish the report as […]

Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy TD has said the latest increase in homeless people is a scandal, with children accounting for more than one in three of those living in emergency accommodation. Deputy Murphy said: “The latest official homeless figures are a scandal and the Fine Gael Government is simply incapable of dealing with the […]

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD has welcomed the publication today of the Independent Review Group report into removing private healthcare from public hospitals under the Sláintecare programme for a reformed public health service. Deputy Shortall chaired the special cross-party Oireachtas Committee which agreed the Sláintecare strategy, a key plank of which is the phased […]

A key test of the success of the plan is whether the public sees an appreciable improvement in policing activity in their communities, especially in anti-social activity.” “The ultimate test is whether there is greater engagement of the Gardaí with local communities and greater accountability of policing services both at local and national level.” Giving […]