News

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has called for the urgent regulation of nicotine pouches and for an analysis of the extent of their use by those under the under the age of 18. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “These pouches come in the form of small bags and contain highly […]

Social Democrats health spokesperson Róisín Shortall has questioned why the Health Minister’s review of urgent and emergency care capacity in the mid-west is only happening now. “This latest development has all the signs of a political stunt. “A second ED has been needed in the mid-west for years. Why has the Minister only started listening […]

Social Democrats health spokesperson Róisín Shortall has welcomed the Taoiseach’s willingness to consider her proposal for the State to purchase Barrington’s Hospital in Limerick as part of a range of measures needed to solve the healthcare crisis in the region. “In response to my proposal in the Dáil today, the Taoiseach indicated that consideration would […]

Adults with eating disorders have been abandoned by the Government, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. “There are just three public hospital beds in the country for the treatment of eating disorders in adults – all of them in St Vincent’s in Dublin. This is despite a Government commitment, when Simon Harris was Minister […]

Social Democrats health spokesperson Róisín Shortall has welcomed the Taoiseach’s response to her in the Dáil that there will be a three-month extension of a temporary payment scheme for healthcare workers suffering from long Covid. “It is simply unconscionable that this cohort of workers, who have been unable to resume their employment due to ongoing Covid symptoms, were […]

The sale of the Beacon Hospital in south Dublin represents a missed opportunity for the Government to deliver on a key Sláintecare commitment, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “It emerged this week that a deal has been reached to sell the Beacon Hospital to the asset management wing of the Australian owned […]

The final cost of delivering the new National Children’s Hospital is likely to exceed the €2.24 billion projected by the Government and may not be known for years, according to Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy. Deputy Murphy, who is vice-chair of the Public Accounts Committee, said: “Confirmation from the Minister for Health today that the […]

The Government continues to be in denial about the impact of health service underfunding on patient care, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “Reports in the media today of Paschal Donohoe’s trenchant criticisms of financial management at the Health Department and the HSE are further evidence that the Government deliberately underfunded the health service […]

The Government must commit to implementing in full the recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Drug Use, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. “I have long held the view that criminalising addiction is not the way forward. I therefore welcome the assembly members’ majority vote in favour of a comprehensive health-led response to personal […]

Social Democrats health spokesperson Róisín Shortall has called on the Minister for Public Expenditure, Paschal Donohoe, to take questions in the Dáil this week and explain why there is a €2 billion hole in the health service budget for 2024. “Minister Donohoe must come into the Dáil this week and explain why this Government continues […]