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The Irish Government must exert pressure on EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to intervene in the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. “Ms von der Leyen is today in Israel and has the ear of the Israeli government. She is now perfectly positioned to make a strong […]

Disability services continue to be shamefully neglected by the Government in Budget 2024, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. Deputy Cairns, who is the party’s spokesperson on disability, said: “People with disabilities must fight for the most basic rights from the day they are born. Despite the ongoing crisis in services, this Government continues […]

Budget 2024 missed an opportunity to make primary and secondary school education in Ireland genuinely free, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s education spokesperson, said: “Although the provision of free schoolbooks up to Junior Certificate level is welcome, it is baffling that the Government chose to take a […]

Today’s budget highlights the Government’s lack of ambition for families, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “After months of uncertainty over promised cuts to childcare costs, it is welcome that the further 25 per cent reduction is now confirmed. However, it has emerged that […]

The Government’s budget is a missed opportunity to make huge and lasting improvements in the lives of those who need it most, according to Social Democrats Finance Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “The housing disaster is the biggest challenge we face as a country. Nothing in this budget indicates that there will be any change in Government […]

Giving tax breaks to landlords is a wasteful measure that lacks any evidence base, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “Rents in Ireland are at record levels and continue to skyrocket. In the last year alone, rents have increased by over 10 per cent with […]

Social Democrats Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Gary Gannon has today (Monday, October 9) written to the Ceann Comhairle and the Oireachtas Business Committee requesting time be set aside in the Dáil this week to discuss the escalating violence in Israel and Gaza. Deputy Gannon said: “The Government must facilitate statements in the Dáil this week on […]

A DEIS-Plus model of funding for the early years sector is essential if we want to break the cycle of child poverty, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “In the Social Democrats’ alternative budget, the creation of a new DEIS-Plus categorisation at preschool, primary […]

Housing, children and climate take centre stage Read the full Alternative Budget here Housing, children and climate action are the main focus of the Social Democrats’ Alternative Budget, ‘Unlocking the Future’, which is published today. The party’s key priorities for 2024 include: Deliver 10,000 affordable homes next year – a near doubling of the Government’s […]

There has been a 47 per cent rise in the number of children becoming homeless since this Government took office, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s deputy leader and housing spokesperson, said: “The latest figures show there are now 12,691 people living in homeless emergency accommodation. Tragically, 3,895 […]