News

The forthcoming budget is an opportunity to prove we have learned the lessons of the Covid-19 and invest in public services, where deficiencies were so exposed during the pandemic, according to Social Democrats co-leaders Róisín Shortall and Catherine Murphy. Our main priorities include: 10,000 affordable and cost-rental homes 10,000 social homes A new affordable model […]

What is the point in releasing a National Development Plan without conducting a screening exercise in advance The National Development Plan is nothing more than a back-of-the-envelope wish list, according to Social Democrats Finance Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “The government made history today – the first time an administration has announced a National Development Plan and […]

Repeated efforts by these women to have their complaints of sexual abuse, discrimination and harassment investigated seriously, and credibly, have failed A fully independent investigation is required to determine the extent of sexual abuse, harassment and assault in the defence forces, according to Social Democrats Defence Spokesperson Gary Gannon. “Women Of Honour, an RTE documentary […]

The Social Democrats have accused Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien of being “in denial” on the impact the Government’s shared equity scheme could have on the cost of housing. Social Democrats Spokesperson on Housing, Cian O’Callaghan TD says the Minister needs to face up to facts. “When criticisms on the Government’s proposed shared equity scheme are coming […]

The Social Democrats believe that the Defence Forces Review is an opportunity for the Government to evolve Ireland’s entire defence and security framework in order to meet future challenges. Cian O’Callaghan TD, Social Democrats Spokesperson for Defence said on this: “Since the foundation of the modern Irish State, the Irish Defence Forces have put themselves […]

During Leaders’ Questions in the Dáil today, Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, asked the Taoiseach to publish daily figures for vaccine doses received, doses available, and doses administered, so that the performance of the vaccine rollout can be measured against projections. She said: “Vaccines provide great hope to people, and the public […]

The eleventh-hour discovery of backup recordings of survivors’ testimonies should not deter the Dáil from seeking a one-year extension to the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes, Jennifer Whitmore TD said today. Speaking following the Dáil debate on the Social Democrats’ Private Members’ Motion calling for an extension, Deputy Whitmore said: “The Government […]

The Social Democrats today called on the Minister for Disabilities to reverse the axing of the Rehabilitative Training Allowance for students with disabilities and to reinstate the €31.80 weekly payment for new students. Dún Laoghaire Councillor Dave Quinn said: “This modest allowance has enabled hundreds of school leavers with disabilities to undertake vital rehabilitative training […]

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD has welcomed the publication today of the Independent Review Group report into removing private healthcare from public hospitals under the Sláintecare programme for a reformed public health service. Deputy Shortall chaired the special cross-party Oireachtas Committee which agreed the Sláintecare strategy, a key plank of which is the phased […]

“If you want change, vote for it. It’s well past time we had fresh faces in Cork City Council representing a new generation of voters, says Sinéad Halpin, local election candidate in Cork City North East.” Today (Monday 29th April), on St Patrick’s Street in the heart of Cork City, the co-leaders of the Social […]