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“In an era where there is legitimate concern about the use, ownership and manipulation of Big Data, it is astonishing that this Government proceeded to collect and hold data on citizens without any legal basis.” The Social Democrats have called on the Government, in particular Ministers Donohoe and Doherty, to publish the full report of […]

“It knocks all parents’ confidence that the schools to which they entrust their children are safe – safe for staff and safe for children. The Minister must reassure staff and parents that the schools are indeed safe to open.” South Dublin County Councillor Carly Bailey, who is a parent of children in one of the […]

Social Democrats Spokesperson for Children, Cllr Jennifer Whitmore, has said concerted efforts must be made to reduce high back-to-school costs and relieve stress on parents. Cllr Whitmore was commenting on today’s annual Barnardos survey which found that parents are “stressed out, overburdened and fed up” by the high cost of sending children back to school. […]

“Parents rely on the expertise of Tusla and their inspections to ensure that the facility in which they place their children is safe. Last night’s programme cast doubts on the reliability of this inspection system.“ SocDems call for review of oversight and inspection system for childcare facilitiesSocial Democrats spokesperson for Children, Cllr Jennifer Whitmore, has […]

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD today called for legal changes to allow gardaí to seize and ‘crush’ scrambler and quad bikes being driven dangerously in public spaces. Deputy Shortall made the call in support of today’s report by the Finglas Safety Forum which found that three quarters of residents are very concerned about the […]

The Social Democrats have called on the Minister for Justice to provide urgent clarification in the wake of this week’s shocking High Court ruling which has caused distress and worry among people with pending applications for citizenship. The party’s co-leader Róisín Shortall TD said: “The High Court ruling that requires residents who apply for Irish […]

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD today welcomed the announced proposals to restructure the HSE to create six new regional health areas, as recommended in the Sláintecare health reform plan. Deputy Shortall said: “This was a key recommendation in the Sláintecare report and was one of the most common issues raised with the all-party Oireachtas […]

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD today called on the Minister for Health to provide immediate answers on the latest failures of the CervicalCheck programme. Deputy Shortall was commenting after it emerged that 52 of some 800 women impacted by the reported IT problems in the Quest Diagnostics laboratory have contracted the HPV virus. She […]

Despite the growing problem of sexual violence, figures released to the Social Democrats show that only nine out of the country’s 28 Garda Divisions have specialist units to deal with victims of sexual crime. In response to a parliamentary question, the Minister for Justice and Equality confirmed that there are ten dedicated Divisional Protective Service […]

Social Democrats Kildare Councillor Aidan Farrelly has raised concerns over the role of An Bord Pleanála in an application for a private housing development in Clane which grew from 322 units to 366 after formal input from the Board. The Strategic Housing Development application, which is currently before the national planning authority pending decision, is […]