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This is a decision that makes no sense on either public health or financial grounds The decision of the government to scrap a subsidy scheme for antigen tests is a serious dereliction of duty, according to Social Democrats Health Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “It beggars belief that Health Minister Stephen Donnelly would announce a U-turn of […]

Five children became homeless every day in October Immediate action from the government is needed to tackle homelessness as five children became homeless every day in October, according to Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. “The latest homelessness figures show the number of people who are homeless and living in emergency accommodation has increased to […]

The shared equity scheme will throw further fuel on the fire of an overheated market The Central Bank’s warning that the Shared Equity Scheme will push up house prices is a shot across the government’s bow, according to Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. “The Central Bank report today was crystal clear. It said that, […]

Solution urgently required as this is seriously impacting people’s ability to access Child Benefit, PPS numbers, passports and GP cards It is now almost impossible to register a birth or a death in many areas of the country, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. “For weeks now, I have been highlighting the fact that […]

The building is on fire. We need to act now to put it out – not stand around and debate the cost of fire extinguishers. The government’s failure to include the early learning and childcare sector in its plans for antigen testing is indicative of its lax approach to antigen testing generally, according to Social […]

If we are serious about suppressing the surge in covid, then we have to act fast The failure to roll out antigen testing in primary schools for nearly another two weeks is deeply concerning while the scheme itself is unnecessarily bureaucratic, according to Social Democrats Education Spokesperson Gary Gannon. “The Government has promised antigen testing […]

Government must prioritise schools for antigen testing It is indefensible that TDs would have access to free antigen tests before teachers and children, according to Social Democrats Education Spokesperson Gary Gannon. “I have learned today that antigen tests will be made available for TDs, and Oireachtas staff, from next week. It is incredible that arrangements […]

Deputy Shortall will be bringing forward a Bill proposing a referendum to remove the requirement to make religious oaths from the Constitution The full-throated defence by the State of mandatory religious oaths in the Constitution is both surprising and deeply disappointing, according to Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall. Deputy Shortall was an applicant in proceedings […]

It is about time the Minister took control and demonstrated some leadership The Minister for Education is missing in action as schools struggle to cope with a huge increase in the incidence of covid, according to Social Democrats Education Spokesperson Gary Gannon. “Our school communities are being crushed under the pressure of covid. They are […]

An idling engine can produce up to twice as many exhaust emissions as an engine in motion Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore has today launched legislation to ban car idling at schools. “Idling cars are bad for the environment, public health and people’s pockets. This is why I am launching legislation today that will […]