News

The Social Democrats have called for an award-winning Council project, Community Budgeting, to be expanded into every local Council in Ireland. “We’ve seen the success of the X-Factor and the Eurovision in terms of engaging people by giving them a vote. Community Budgeting can do the same and bring real tangible benefits to local communities […]

Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy TD today blasted the government for abandoning renters as the latest Daft.ie figures show that the number of homes available to rent has reached its lowest level since 2006. “Instead of getting on with building affordable homes, the Fine Gael government continues to pretend that the market can solve this […]

The Social Democrats today branded the country’s local authority funding system as outdated and deeply unfair to people living in councils with rapidly growing populations. “Communities can rightly ask ‘what am I getting for my Local Property Tax?’ And the answer is not a whole lot, because the finances of many local authorities haven’t improved […]

Social Democrats Political Director and Local Election candidate for Lucan, Anne-Marie McNally has welcomed the final Dáil stage of the Residential Tenancies Bill which incorporates the key provisions of the Social Democrats’ Bill of the same name. The reality is that the private rental sector is now a significant housing option – either by choice […]

A Social Democrats private members’ bill to increase unpaid leave entitlements for working parents is due to complete its passage through the Oireachtas in the coming weeks. “For parents with pre-school children in particular, unpaid parental leave might be a more economical alternative to paying for formal childcare.” A Social Democrats private members’ bill to […]

Social Democrats Co-Leader Catherine Murphy has said the Government is cynically using the announcement regarding the National Broadband Plan to try and influence rural voters ahead of the local and European elections. “It is clear that this blinkered approach to a contract of such magnitude is a direct result of election season where Fine Gael […]

Four Social Democrats candidates have been nominated for the upcoming local elections to South Dublin County Council. “Social Democrats local election candidates are running on a platform of strong support for local public services, accountability and democracy.” Four Social Democrats candidates have been nominated for the upcoming local elections to South Dublin County Council. The […]

The Social Democrats Spokeswoman for Children, Cllr Jennifer Whitmore, today supported the call for an independent evaluation of family hubs, saying housing authorities are desensitised to the devastating impact of homelessness on children and families. “Today’s report by the Ombudsman for Children includes testimonies from children about life in family hubs that are utterly heart-breaking. […]

The Social Democrats today blasted as ‘pathetic’ the government’s anti-corruption efforts and renewed its call for an Independent Anti-Corruption Agency to tackle white collar crime and corruption. “Fine Gael has repeatedly squandered opportunities to deliver meaningful anti-corruption reforms and back them up with resources and expertise to vigorously prevent, detect and prosecute corruption and white-collar […]

Catherine Murphy TD has said it is hugely frustrating that the FAI approached today’s hearing with a strategy to avoid questions rather than try to bring clarity to the key issues and concerns. “Sport Ireland can not have taken much comfort from the little information which I & other Committee members did manage to elicit […]