News

Ejecting vulnerable asylum seekers from emergency accommodation, back to living in tents on the streets, is inhumane, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “The State’s treatment of vulnerable asylum seekers is shameful and inhumane. “Ireland is a rich country. There is absolutely no justification for forcing people to sleep in sub-zero […]

It is absolutely disgusting that more than 1,000 vulnerable asylum applicants are living in tents on the streets – during sub-zero weather – while nearly 5,000 asylum and refugee beds are vacant, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “It is absolutely disgusting that there are literally thousands of empty beds throughout […]

The Government must consider all possible measures to vindicate the rights of former staff of The Body Shop after the sudden closure of the company’s Irish branches, according to Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy. Deputy Murphy, who is the party’s spokesperson on enterprise, trade and employment, said: “It is completely unacceptable for employees of The […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore will introduce a Bill tomorrow to remove the requirement for election candidates to publish their home address on nomination and ballot papers. Deputy Whitmore said: “Loss of privacy and safety is a legitimate concern for election candidates. The need for my Electoral (Home Address of Candidates) Bill 2024 is a […]

Fundamental problems with how the School Transport Scheme operates must be resolved before eligibility is expanded, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “I welcome plans due to come before Cabinet today to reduce the pick-up radius to 2km for both primary and secondary school […]

Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan has responded to figures published today showing that the number of people in homeless accommodation has risen by 213. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “There are now 13,531 people living in homeless emergency accommodation – the highest ever recorded in the history of the State. “Shockingly, […]

The latest Daft.ie report shows that rents outside of cities are continuing to skyrocket, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “Ireland’s record-breaking rents continued to rise by 6.8 per cent in 2023. People looking for a place to live now face average rents of €1,850 […]

Media Minister Catherine Martin has serious questions to answer about her own handling of the crisis in RTÉ, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. “The Minister is claiming she was kept in the dark about exit packages agreed with senior RTÉ executives last year. If this is the case, then it is clear the […]

The Taoiseach has committed to ratifying the Optional Protocol for the UN Convention on the Rights of People With Disabilities in the term of this government – he must now provide a precise date, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. “Last night, Minister for Disability Roderic O’Gorman said “Ireland is falling down in terms […]

House prices in Ireland are continuing to rise and show no signs of stopping under this Government, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s spokesperson on housing, said: “The latest Residential Property Price Index from the CSO paints a grim picture for those hoping to buy a home of […]