News

The Minister for Education is continuing to sleepwalk through the teacher recruitment crisis in our schools, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s education spokesperson, said: “The annual teachers’ conferences taking place this week should refocus Minister Foley’s mind on one of the most serious challenges facing our education […]

The international community must hold Israel to account for the latest deaths of humanitarian aid workers in Gaza, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. “At a time when Israel is embarking on a deliberate policy of forced starvation of the Gazan population, the senseless killing of seven aid workers attached to the World Central […]

We are now nearly four years into this government and their record is one of failure The government has failed another crucial litmus test of its management of the housing disaster by missing its social and affordable housing targets for the third consecutive year, according to Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. “The government had […]

Taoiseach-in-waiting Simon Harris must step up, where his predecessors have failed, and immediately introduce a ban on no-fault eviction Levels of homelessness have exploded under the watch of this calamitous government – who seem more interested in jockeying for power than solving the housing disaster, according to Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. “There are […]

Pushing targets for delivery out to 2028, while we are in the midst of a crisis, points to a government that is floundering The only surprise in the government’s new accommodation strategy for international protection applicants is that this flimsy document took so long to produce, according to Social Democrats Jennifer Whitmore. “Integration Minister Roderick […]

What is the point of legislative scrutiny if the Government refuses to change bad plans? Government inaction is leaving residents in new developments waiting years for common areas to be taken over by local authorities, according to Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. “It can take years and even decades for public spaces in newer […]

The Government is continuing to ignore practical solutions to the housing crisis, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “People across Ireland are suffering the consequences of a chronic lack of affordable housing. “Rents are at record levels, houses prices are higher than their Celtic Tiger […]

The next Taoiseach should be elected by the people of Ireland, not Fine Gael, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. Deputy Cairns said: “A new Fine Gael leader will not change the fact that the writing is on the wall for this Government. “Throughout their 14 years in office, Fine Gael have failed to […]

Tonight’s RTÉ Prime Time special will shed important light on the lived experiences of Ireland’s locked out generation, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “Too often, the housing crisis is viewed through the bleak figures and statistics we have unfortunately become so accustomed to. However, […]

A taskforce examining the safety of politicians echoes calls by Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore to remove the requirement for election candidates to publish their home address on nomination and ballot papers. Deputy Whitmore, who has proposed these measures in her Electoral (Home Address of Candidates) Bill 2024, said: “According to media reports, the Taskforce […]