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The government must outline how it will remove barriers faced by people with disabilities  The stark findings of a new ESRI report on the employment prospects of people with disabilities are shocking but not surprising, according to Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns. Deputy Cairns, who sits on the Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters, said: “The […]

We now have a tripartite energy crisis – in cost, demand and antiquated infrastructure The Dáil urgently needs to set aside time for a debate on surging energy prices, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore, who has written to the Business Committee requesting time to debate this matter at the earliest opportunity. “The […]

I am calling on the Minister for Education to take urgent action The shocking condition of prefab classrooms at Gaelcholáiste Reachrann in Donaghmede must be rectified immediately, while the construction of a new school building must be prioritised, according to Social Democrats Dublin Bay North TD Cian O’Callaghan. “Every child deserves to be taught in […]

It is not acceptable for the Minister to keep Oireachtas members in the dark Attempts by Health Minister Stephen Donnelly to defer his attendance at the Oireachtas Health Committee, to discuss Sláintecare, until after the budget are not acceptable, according to Social Democrats Health Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “A crisis has engulfed Sláintecare. There have now […]

Delays in providing legal aid are totally unacceptable Issues causing fresh delays to the Stardust Inquest, which was due to commence in October, must be resolved immediately, according to Social Democrats Dublin Bay North TD Cian O’Callaghan. “Past promises of legal aid for the Stardust families must be honoured. The new delay in providing this […]

Just transition must be more than a buzz word or branding The government must ensure there is a fair deal for workers and communities as we move to a zero-carbon economy and society, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore made her comments as she introduced legislation – the Just Transition (Worker […]

The Minister has failed to address his clear and unambiguous statement to the Dáil Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien has responded with a statement that can only be described as gibberish to the charge that he misled the Dáil when he falsely claimed the Central Bank had approved his shared equity scheme, according to Social Democrats […]

Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien must explain why he misled the Dáil regarding one of the central pillars of his new housing plan – the shared equity scheme. The Minister previously informed the Dáil that the Central Bank had approved his scheme but we now know this is not the case, according to Social Democrats Housing […]

There are fundamental problems with Sláintecare that those charged with implementing it view as intractable Health Minister Stephen Donnelly and Secretary General of the Department of Health Robert Watt must come to the Health Committee to answer questions about the crisis engulfing Sláintecare, according to Social Democrats Health Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “Yesterday, the chairperson of […]

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar should clarify the misleading statements he made this morning Tánaiste Leo Varadkar was wrong to suggest the government had listened to advice from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) on increasing funding for housing, according to Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. “On Morning Ireland today, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar claimed the […]