News

Child poverty has lifelong consequences – limiting children’s education, their aspirations, their wellbeing and their potential. A special Oireachtas Committee to tackle worsening child poverty rates must be established, according to Social Democrats Children’s Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore made her remarks as the Children’s Rights Alliance launched its Child Poverty Monitor – a new […]

Continued indecision, combined with soaring costs, is threatening the viability of hundreds of ECCE providers The government must provide clarity to the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) sector about the level of core funding they will receive in the autumn, according to Social Democrats Children Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “Many ECCE-only providers are finishing up […]

Childhood is short and the government has limited time to intervene The Children’s Rights Alliance Report Card for 2022 makes clear that the government is continuing to fail our most vulnerable children, according to Social Democrats Children’s Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “The government has received an ‘E’ grade on child homelessness, due to persistent increases in […]

The government must act now to prevent any further damage Two separate reports have today confirmed our worst fears about the impact of the pandemic on marginalised children, according to Social Democrats Children’s Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore was commenting following the publication of the Annual Report of Ireland’s Special Rapporteur on Child Protection and […]

The Minister has yet to appoint an independent expert, finalise terms of reference or provide a time-frame for the review The failure of the Minister for Health to appoint an independent expert to review the State’s abortion law is deeply concerning, according to Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns. “Under section 7 of the Health (Regulation […]

The Minister must explain why he is taking the unprecedented step of judicially reviewing a case that he actually won. Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue must explain why he is attempting to set aside parts of a conviction imposed on one of his officials for animal neglect and animal welfare breaches, according to Social Democrats Agriculture […]

We will soon find out how serious the Government is about reforming childcare in this country The government must act to make childcare more affordable, according to Social Democrats Children’s Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore was reacting to the launch of a new campaign, ‘A New Deal for Early Years’, from SIPTU and a coalition of […]

An Irish solution to an Irish problem was supposed to be an artefact of history Confirmation today that nearly 200 women had to travel to the UK last year for abortion services is evidence that the law needs to be reviewed, according to Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns. “Most women who needed abortion care were […]

Many of those working in the Arts are reliant on the PUP, which the government plans to cut from September Plans to introduce a basic income guarantee pilot scheme for artists are welcome – if overdue, according to Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns. “Minister for Tourism, Culture and Arts, Catherine Martin, has committed to “prioritise” […]

An Bord Pleanála reached a humane decision on this sensitive matter An Bord Pleanála’s refusal to grant planning permission for a large development on the site of the Bessborough Mother and Baby Home is the correct decision, according to Social Democrats TD, and member of the Oireachtas Children’s Committee, Holly Cairns. Holly said: “I welcome […]