News

Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, has welcomed a commitment from the Taoiseach that he will confirm today in writing that the disgraceful disability cuts of €20m will no longer go ahead. Deputy Shortall said: “These cuts, billed as ‘efficiency cuts’, were announced back in January before the Covid-19 crisis. And while there […]

Gary Gannon TD, the Social Democrats spokesperson on Social Protection, has backed calls by St Vincent de Paul for the establishment of a Special Oireachtas Committee on Poverty and Inequality. Deputy Gannon said: “Disadvantaged communities have been disproportionately impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and there are now over 700,000 people experiencing poverty in Ireland. Poverty […]

Holly Cairns TD, Social Democrats spokesperson for Higher Education, has called for immediate action after frightening levels of sexual violence and harassment in Irish third level education were highlighted during a meeting between Minister Simon Harris and the National Advisory Committee on Consent and Sexual Harassment. Deputy Cairns said: “The alarming rates of rape, sexual […]

Dublin North West TD and co-leader of the Social Democrats, Róisín Shortall, has welcomed the inclusion of Finglas as the preferred route for the Luas Green Line extension but has questioned the 10-year timeline for delivery of the project. The proposed route will link the Green Line between Broombridge and Charlestown, with additional stops at […]

Jennifer Whitmore TD, the Social Democrats spokesperson for the Environment, and Holly Cairns TD, spokesperson for Agriculture, have called on the Government to properly resource the National Parks and Wildlife Service and to establish a specialised Garda unit to deal with wildlife crime. The TDs have highlighted the fact that the number of successful prosecutions […]

Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson, Cian O’Callaghan TD, has described the Government’s removal of pandemic protections for renters as premature and short-sighted. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “The statement by the Minister for Housing in the Dáil today, justifying the removal of protections for renters based on Ireland moving out of a public health emergency, is extremely premature. […]

Gary Gannon, the Social Democrats spokesperson on Social Protection, has called on backbench TDs from the three Government parties to vote against measures in tonight’s Social Welfare Bill that will make it difficult for Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) recipients to return to their former employment. Deputy Gannon said: “The revelations over the weekend that PUP […]

Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson and Dublin Bay North TD, Cian O’Callaghan, has expressed alarm at funding cuts for the access community mental health team for the homeless. In reply to a parliamentary question, the HSE confirmed that funding for this service has fallen by €87,122 (or 13%) in the last two years. Deputy O’Callaghan said: […]

Gary Gannon TD, the Social Democrats spokesperson on Education, has expressed concern that there may not be enough substitute post-primary school teachers available in the event of a second wave of Covid-19. Reacting to the Government’s announcement of the €375m roadmap to opening schools at the end of next month, Deputy Gannon said: “While there […]

Speaking in relation to the publication of the Residential Tenancies and Valuation Bill 2020, which will be rushed through the Dáil this week, Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson, Cian O’Callaghan TD, said: “This bill unfortunately will do little to help renters who are at risk of eviction and homelessness. Most renters are evicted on grounds that […]