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The government must immediately provide funding guarantees to local authorities to prevent avoidable hold-ups to the tenant in-situ scheme, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “The success of this scheme, which allows local authorities to purchase properties where existing tenants are facing eviction, is completely […]

Stating peacekeeping missions must be in line with the UN charter is a prerequisite so broad as to be meaningless Confirmation that the government intends to dismantle the triple lock is an attack on our neutrality, according to Social Democrats Foreign Affairs and Defence spokesperson Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney said: “The Tánaiste today confirmed that […]

The government must immediately develop a family homelessness strategy and reintroduce a no-fault eviction ban, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, was commenting on the latest homelessness figures, which were published this afternoon. “The figures show there were 15,286 people living in homeless emergency accommodation at […]

Government must urgently address the severe shortage of special school places across the country, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins, ahead of today’s protest. Deputy Cummins, the party’s’ spokesperson for Education, said: “I stand in solidarity with the parents and guardians participating in today’s 24-hour sleep-out protest outside the Department of Education.  “They aim […]

The government must agree a clear pathway to restoring pay parity for Section 39 workers in community and voluntary organisations, according to Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s acting spokesperson on disability, said: “With up to 5,000 Section 39 workers expected to vote in favour of strike action, some of […]

The phenomenal interest in 46 apartments being offered at discounted rents to key workers in Dublin’s south city highlights the pent-up demand for genuinely affordable housing, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “Since the scheme at Google’s Boland Mills Quarter was launched by Clúid Housing […]

The deepening crisis in public dentistry requires urgent action from government, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s Health spokesperson, said: “No family should be told that their child will face a decade-long wait for treatment to stop debilitating pain. “The fact that Tiernan Murphy-Power, a six-year-old with autism, […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has backed a call by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) for a publicly accessible database to identify damaged or dangerous second-hand vehicles. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s transport spokesperson, said: “In 2024, the CCPC received 3,192 contacts to its national consumer helpline related to second-hand cars. Of […]

Today’s launch of the HSE’s Health app is just one small step in Ireland’s painfully slow implementation of a modern digital health strategy, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s spokesperson on health, said: “The arrival of the new HSE app, while welcome, is a reminder of how far […]

The scandal surrounding the National Gallery’s €120,000-plus scanner is shocking but not surprising, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly, who is the party’s arts spokesperson, said: “It’s sadly no longer a surprise to hear another huge sum of money has been wasted by a State organisation – this time, €120,000 on a […]