News

Changes to Special Education Teaching allocations will have a devastating impact on children with additional needs, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s education spokesperson, said: “The decision by the Department of Education to completely remove children with complex needs as a criteria for the allocation of Special Education […]

New figures indicate that rent caps are still being widely ignored in parts of the country covered by Rent Pressure Zones, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “Rents in existing tenancies rose by 5.2 per cent nationally, according to the latest Rent Index Report carried […]

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 […]

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has welcomed confirmation that the Taoiseach has finally commenced discussions with other EU states on possible economic sanctions against Israel. “This is a welcome but overdue development. Since November last year, the Social Democrats have been calling for the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which has an ‘essential elements’ […]

The Tánaiste’s call for an EU-wide travel ban on violent Jewish settlers must be extended to include extremist members of the Israeli government, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s foreign affairs spokesperson, said: “Last month, the Tánaiste said he would be calling for sanctions to be applied against […]

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 […]

The decriminalisation of drug use must be accompanied by a health-led response to addiction and a comprehensive plan to tackle poverty and deprivation, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon made his comments during today’s Dáil debate on the Misuse of Drugs (Cannabis Regulation Bill 2022), which is being supported by the Social […]

A planning application seeking permission to place steel railings around Dublin’s Ambassador Theatre to deter anti-social behaviour highlights the need for urgent Dáil statements on the decline and neglect of the city centre, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is a TD for Dublin Central, said: “It is a sad state […]

Figures released today by the Department of Housing show that 3,962 children spent Christmas living in homeless emergency accommodation. Commenting, Social Democrats housing spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan said: “This is 520 more than December 2022 and a shocking 49 per cent increase since this Government has taken office. “Growing up without a home can have devastating impacts on […]

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has welcomed today’s decision by the International Court of Justice, calling it a landmark ruling that must be a turning point to end the violence. “Today’s landmark ruling by the ICJ is a clear win for South Africa and must be a turning point in this horrific conflict. “Significantly, the […]