News

Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins has welcomed the government’s announcement of increased investment in the School Meals Programme but warned that without stronger accountability and a commitment to provide locally sourced, nutritious food, the scheme risks falling short of its goals. Deputy Cummins, who represents Dublin South Central and is the party’s education spokesperson, said: […]

The Minister for Housing needs to take responsibility for delivering critical water infrastructure for new homes, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “In the Dáil today, I called on the Minister to make an emergency intervention to ensure that Uisce Éireann delivers the water and […]

Almost half of teachers are at risk of leaving the profession due to the stresses imparted by staffing shortages, a crisis that’s been put on the back burner by government, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins, the party’s spokesperson on Education, said: “The nonchalance of successive education ministers’ actions has failed to […]

Justice Minister Jim O Callaghan’s decision not to attend the Garda Representative Association’s rank and file annual conference this year is a missed opportunity to demonstrate meaningful support for members of the force at a crucial juncture, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s spokesperson on justice, said: “The […]

“The ‘Sharing the Vision Implementation Plan’ is heavy on aspiration but thin on clear, concrete resource allocations, according to Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide, the party’s Mental Health spokesperson, said: “The plan’s emphasis on trauma-informed service delivery is positive but there is no detail provided on what this means in practice, or any […]

Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins has welcomed the announcement of additional special education classes, but warned that the government must match ambition with action by properly resourcing staff training and supporting families on the ground. Deputy Cummins, who represents Dublin South Central and is the party’s spokesperson on education, said: “The news of 375 new […]

Scrapping a proposed measure which would see essential funding diverted towards domestic filmmaking places the future of Irish storytelling at risk, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly, who’s the party’s Arts and Media spokesperson, said: “Minister Patrick O’Donovan’s decision to withdraw support for a levy which would foster Irish filmmaking talent and […]

Dire warnings that as few as 25,000 homes might only be delivered this year are further proof that the housing crisis is spiralling out of control, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “This government is following in the footsteps of its predecessor by coming out […]

The future of our housing market is at the mercy of international tariffs and trade wars due to the government’s over-reliance on institutional investors, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, the party’s Housing spokesperson, said: “Today’s MyHome report on the state of our housing market paints a stark picture of how the […]

Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) must immediately act on the findings of damning report into the use of surgical implants and implantable medical devices at its hospitals, including Temple Street, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s spokesperson on health, said: “Today’s report from the Health Information and Quality Authority […]