News

Ejecting vulnerable asylum seekers from emergency accommodation, back to living in tents on the streets, is inhumane, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “The State’s treatment of vulnerable asylum seekers is shameful and inhumane. “Ireland is a rich country. There is absolutely no justification for forcing people to sleep in sub-zero […]

It is absolutely disgusting that more than 1,000 vulnerable asylum applicants are living in tents on the streets – during sub-zero weather – while nearly 5,000 asylum and refugee beds are vacant, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “It is absolutely disgusting that there are literally thousands of empty beds throughout […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore will introduce a Bill tomorrow to remove the requirement for election candidates to publish their home address on nomination and ballot papers. Deputy Whitmore said: “Loss of privacy and safety is a legitimate concern for election candidates. The need for my Electoral (Home Address of Candidates) Bill 2024 is a […]

Fundamental problems with how the School Transport Scheme operates must be resolved before eligibility is expanded, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “I welcome plans due to come before Cabinet today to reduce the pick-up radius to 2km for both primary and secondary school […]

The Children’s Rights Alliance Report Card 2024 shows that the State is failing to deliver on key child welfare commitments contained in the Programme for Government, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “The report card, published today, offers a bleak assessment of the Government’s […]

The planned expansion of the School Transport Scheme must be rolled out in tandem with a major overhaul of the system, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “According to reports over the weekend, Minister for Education Norma Foley is working on an expansion of […]

The Department of Education’s failure to plan for population growth and local demand has resulted in a deepening secondary school enrolment crisis for parents and students, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s children’s spokesperson, said: “The shortage of second level places is a major issue in my Wicklow […]

The Government’s solar panel programme for schools is not nearly ambitious enough and falls well short of the rooftop revolution promised by the Minister for Energy, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on energy, was responding to reports that a school in Co. Clare has become the […]

Figures published today show that the Government is failing to get to grips with rising child poverty levels, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “The 2023 State of the Nation’s Children (SONC) report paints a bleak picture of child poverty in Ireland and shows […]

The Government’s approach to immigration is in a state of chaos and disarray, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “In recent days and weeks, we have seen U-turn after U-turn by the Government in its efforts to house migrants seeking asylum. “We are now […]