News

Model of Care was supposed to deliver 16 specialist eating disorder teams – but just three are operating The slow delivery of specialist eating disorder teams across the country is potentially putting lives at risk, according to Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns. “Of the 16 community-based teams promised under the HSE’s National Model of Care […]

At any one time, around 600 patients are left in hospital because there isn’t appropriate home care supports or step-down facilities available  The Government must urgently address the lack of home care services, according to Social Democrats co-leader and Health spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “While it’s welcome that the HSE and the Minister for Health are […]

Government must provide realistic alternatives to attending emergency departments The Government’s failure to adequately plan for a winter surge in hospital admissions has resulted in the current crisis in our emergency departments, according to Social Democrats co-leader and Health spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “We have known for some months that there would be an upsurge in […]

Parents and families should not have to wait any longer for the protections and security of legal certainty Confirmation that that Government intends to legislate for international surrogacy is hugely welcome, according to Social Democrats Children’s spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who chaired the Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy, said: “I am pleased that the […]

Women in rural areas deserve certainty about their maternity services The HSE’s suspension of its plans to cancel home births in Cork and Kerry is a good first step – but the misguided plans should be permanently abandoned, according to Social Democrats Cork South West TD Holly Cairns. “In August we learned that the HSE […]

Parents and children deserve action, not apologies, from the HSE  Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns has called for urgent action from the HSE after unacceptably long waiting lists for Children’s Disability Network Teams (CDNTs) emerged today. Deputy Cairns, who is the party’s spokesperson on Disability, said: “It is a matter of deep concern to learn that […]

People with disabilities have been left waiting almost a decade for mobility support schemes to be replaced The delay in introducing a new personal transport scheme for disabled people has been described as cruel and indefensible by Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns. Deputy Cairns, who is a member of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Disability […]

The Minister must make the enactment of this Bill a priority The government must quickly move to ensure that a policy of open disclosure becomes mandatory within the health service, according to Social Democrats Health Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. Deputy Shortall was commenting after the publication of the final report of Dr. Gabriel Scally into the […]

What mattered most to Vicky was not rhetoric but action The nation is united in mourning the sad passing of Vicky Phelan, according to Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall. “The entire nation is united in mourning after the very sad passing of Vicky Phelan. “Vicky was instrumental in uncovering the CervicalCheck scandal. Her refusal to […]

Vital service to end next month due to lack of HSE funding  The imminent closure of the Mater Hospital’s Long Covid Clinic represents a new low in the Government’s pandemic response, according to the Social Democrats’ co-leader and Health spokesperson, Róisín Shortall. “This morning, the Mater’s Long Covid Clinic was instructed to wind down its […]