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Committee could also create strategies to combat the rise of far-right groups Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon has called for the establishment of an emergency cross-party Oireachtas committee on refugee integration in response to recent protests targeting asylum seekers. “There is a complete information vacuum at the moment, which is being filled by misinformation peddled […]

Vacancy rate of 4.3% represents tens of thousands of homes lying empty while 11,632 people are living in emergency homeless accommodation  The Vacant Dwelling Indicators released today by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) highlight the urgent need for a strong and effective Vacant Homes Tax, according to Social Democrats Housing spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. “The fact […]

Under the Minister’s redress scheme, 40 percent of survivors will not be eligible for compensation, while two-thirds will be denied healthcare  The Government has one last chance to do the right thing when its deeply flawed Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Bill reaches its concluding stages in the Dáil this week, according to Social […]

Six units do incredible work in treating and helping vulnerable victims of sexual assault  More resources are needed to help the HSE and gardaí understand and respond to rising attendance rates at Sexual Assault Treatment Units around the country, according to Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns. “Professor Maeve Eogan, the National Clinical Lead for the […]

Government can only offer vague timelines on when low-cost loan scheme for households will be available  Ongoing delays in the rollout of a low interest loan scheme for retrofitting will make Ireland’s carbon reduction targets even more difficult to achieve, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on […]

Lifting the ban at the end of March will create a tsunami of evictions, with homelessness services already completely overstretched  The latest homelessness figures highlight the need for an extension of the ban on evictions and a ramping up of tenant in situ purchases, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is […]

Ireland’s Forest Strategy has been undermined by partnership with UK investment firm Coillte’s controversial partnership with a UK investment firm is undermining Ireland’s new Forest Strategy before it has even begun, according to Social Democrats Agriculture spokesperson Holly Cairns. “The long-delayed Forest Strategy says all the right things and makes big commitments. But based on […]

The Government must now explain why the State cannot – or will not – build enough social homes The Taoiseach has finally admitted that the Government’s own target for the delivery of social homes in 2022 was missed, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s Housing spokesperson, said: “When […]

For far too long, a few big players have been allowed to dominate Unfair quota allocations continue to impact the livelihoods of those involved in the inshore fishing sector, according to Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns. Deputy Cairns, who is the party’s spokesperson on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, told the Dáil today: “Inshore fishing […]

Some renters losing out on rebate because landlords are not registered with Residential Tenancies Board The Government needs to do more to raise awareness of the €500 annual rent credit introduced in Budget 2023, according to Social Democrats Housing spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. “It has been reported that only a fraction of those who are eligible […]