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The Minister for Health must come into the Dáil and answer questions as to why €19m in funding specifically allocated to reduce waiting times for children’s spinal surgery was spent elsewhere, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “This latest controversy is a further betrayal of children awaiting scoliosis surgery. “In 2017, then Minister […]

The Taoiseach’s revelation today that there is a 61 per cent staff vacancy rate in primary care psychology services for young people in Cork and Kerry is deeply concerning and requires an urgent explanation from the HSE, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. “While there has been much focus on the crisis in Child […]

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has paid tribute to former Social Democrats co-leaders Catherine Murphy and Róisín Shortall after they announced they will not contest the forthcoming general election. The former co-leaders made the announcement this morning saying it was time for a new generation to take over. Catherine Murphy said: “I love my job […]

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has paid tribute to former co-leaders Catherine Murphy and Róisín Shortall as they announce they will not contest the forthcoming general election. “Catherine and Róisín are trailblazers in Irish politics and have accomplished an incredible amount in careers that spanned decades of committed political work and dedicated public service. “Róisín […]

I love my job and have always had a deep passion for my work and tackling the many pressing social, environmental, economic, and governmental issues we still face. However, after more than 30 years in representational politics, now it is the right time for me to step back. I am therefore confirming I will not […]

Today I am announcing my decision to step down as a TD at the next election. I believe that now is a good time and the right time for me to do so. I have been a TD for Dublin North-West for almost 32 years and am very proud to have had the opportunity to […]

The latest report from the ESRI has highlighted that the Government’s targets are not nearly ambitious enough to tackle to housing crisis, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “The report states that Ireland will need to build between 35,000 and 53,000 homes a year just […]

Attempts by Minister of State Emer Higgins to delay the implementation of a transport plan for the capital have been described as highly inappropriate by Cllr Cat O’Driscoll, the Social Democrats group leader on Dublin City Council. Cllr O’Driscoll was speaking ahead of this evening’s monthly meeting of Dublin City Council where the Minister’s request […]

The Minister for Mental Health must come up with an urgent plan to address the crisis in primary care psychology services for children and adolescents in Cork and Kerry, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. “In response to a parliamentary question I submitted, the HSE revealed that the total number of young people on […]

The latest homelessness figures are further proof that the Government is completely out of ideas when it comes to tackling the housing crisis, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s spokesperson on housing, said: “There are now 14,159 people living in homeless emergency accommodation – the highest ever recorded […]