News

Gary Gannon TD, the Social Democrats spokesperson on Social Protection, is to seek an urgent explanation from the Government after it emerged that passengers are having their Pandemic Unemployment Payment removed following airport inspections. Deputy Gannon said: “I was extremely concerned to learn that those receiving the PUP have been targeted by Department of Social […]

Long term, substantial investment and innovative new ways of doing things will be required if schools are to reopen – and stay open – in the coming weeks, according to Gary Gannon, the Social Democrats spokesperson for Education. Deputy Gannon said: “The past number of months have been extremely difficult for students and parents and […]

Social Democrats spokesperson for the Arts, Gary Gannon TD, said today that a reduction in the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) will be devastating for Ireland’s artistic community. Deputy Gannon said: “The PUP extension announced by the Government yesterday as part of the July stimulus package fails to take into account the circumstances of many people […]

Gary Gannon TD, the Social Democrats spokesperson on Education, has called on the Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD, to urgently address the Dáil and provide details of the Government’s plans for reopening schools in five weeks’ time Deputy Gannon said: “Yesterday I attended a meeting between Minister Foley and Opposition spokespeople for Education. Following […]

Schools are facing a wave of trauma Speaking ahead of a briefing for Opposition spokespersons by the Minister for Education this afternoon, Gary Gannon TD, the Social Democrats spokesperson on Education, said: “It’s hard to see anything other than chaos unfolding as our schools attempt to reopen in the autumn. The failure is one of […]

The Social Democrats have today announced spokesperson roles for the 33rd Dáil. Co-leader Catherine Murphy said: “In announcing our spokesperson roles today, I am confirming that the Social Democrats will continue to work as we did in the last Dáil – by being constructive and practical but also by not being afraid to ask the tough […]

The Social Democrats spokesperson on Education, Gary Gannon TD, has expressed grave concerns for the mental health of young people in light of the three-week delay in the Leaving Certificate results. Deputy Gannon said: “The last Government was crippled by indecision when it came to whether or not State exams would be able to proceed. […]

The Social Democrats have strongly condemned the three Government parties of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party for voting down their motion on Workers’ Rights today. The party’s first Private Members’ Time motion of the 33rd Dáil was debated last night. It sought to increase protection for workers across a range of areas, including […]

Gary Gannon TD, Social Democrats spokesperson on Education, and Holly Cairns TD, spokesperson on Further and Higher Education, have expressed concern at Minister Simon Harris’s statement that the cost of providing third level education will increase in the short-term as a result of COVID-19. Both TDs are seeking clarity on the matter and an assurance […]

The Social Democrats have strongly criticised a Government amendment to its Workers’ Rights Motion which is due to be debated in the Dáil this evening. Dublin Central TD, Gary Gannon, said the amendment from the Tánaiste, Leo Varadkar TD, was a disgraceful attempt by the Government to undermine the SocDems motion, which seeks to have […]