News

Today’s bombshell revelations involve a serious breach of trust Senior RTÉ management must appear before the Public Accounts Committee before the summer recess to explain its secret payments to Ryan Tubridy, according to Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy. Deputy Murphy, who is vice-chair of the PAC, has written to the PAC to request the appearance […]

A 2020 Children’s Ombudsman report found more than 120 children housed in hostels with no care staff after 5pm A report detailing the sexual exploitation of young girls in State care is shocking but not surprising, according to Social Democrats Children Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore was speaking following the release of a new study, […]

Government must now fast-track safeguarding legislation for vulnerable adults  The catastrophic failure to investigate sexual assault complaints in a HSE nursing home must mark a turning point in how the State safeguards vulnerable adults, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “The report by the National Independent Review Panel (NIRP), which was set up […]

Findings show that majority of tenants are renting through necessity, not choice The latest Tenant Sentiment report from Threshold highlights the harsh realities of renting in Ireland today, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s spokesperson on housing, said: “The findings of today’s Threshold report are predictably grim. While […]

The Taoiseach should clarify if he spoke with Roderic O’Gorman before he made his comments or if his latest budget kite-flying is another Fine Gael solo run The Taoiseach must clarify if the government is resiling from its commitment to cut childcare fees by 50% over two years, according to Social Democrats Children’s Spokesperson Jennifer […]

Just over half of those entitled to the €500 annual rent credit have applied to date The Government’s failure to promote the €500 tax credit for renters introduced in Budget 2023 is contributing to low uptake of the scheme, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: […]

Insufficient data in climate plan was highlighted in recent EPA report The Government’s refusal to amend its Climate Action Plan in the wake of a stark report by the Environmental Protection Agency is inexplicable, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate action and biodiversity, said: “The […]

Levels of polluting nitrogen and phosphorus in Irish rivers and lakes were found to be unacceptably high Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has called for an immediate Government response to the Environmental Protection Agency’s bleak assessment of the condition of Irish watercourses. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate action and biodiversity, said: […]

Half of rough sleepers recorded by homeless outreach team excluded from official figures Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan has asked the Government to explain why not all rough sleepers have been counted in official figures published by the Dublin Region Homeless Executive. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “An article published by […]

Ombudsman slams lack of progress on replacement schemes for disabled drivers  The Ombudsman’s sharp criticism of the lack of supports for drivers with disabilities should be a source of deep embarrassment for the Government, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. Deputy Cairns, who is the party’s spokesperson on disability, said: “Commenting on the publication […]