News

Eating disorders are serious and complex mental illnesses, yet vital services continue to be under-funded by the Government  Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has called on the Minister for Mental Health and the HSE to explain why no funding has been allocated this year for public specialist eating disorder services. “I was greatly alarmed to […]

Bizarrely, the same law that protects hares also allows for their capture for coursing Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore will introduce a Bill today which, if supported, could result in an effective ban on hare coursing in Ireland. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate and biodiversity, said: “Given the scale of the […]

Those affected must receive adequate redundancy packages from Meta and be fully supported in securing alternative employment Social Democrats enterprise spokesperson Catherine Murphy has expressed disappointment at the scale of Irish job losses announced by Meta today. “My immediate thoughts are with the almost 500 employees and their families affected by the latest raft of […]

Handouts to developers are clearly not making homes more affordable First-time buyers are facing a widening affordability gap when trying to purchase a home, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “A new report from the Banking and Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI) is further proof that […]

One-off measures are simply not enough to prevent households from falling into food or energy poverty The findings of a new survey from Barnardos are a damning indictment of the Government’s failure to get to grips with the cost-of-living crisis, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on […]

Key appointment is welcome – but timing of announcement raises questions for the Government The appointment of a person to lead State negotiations with religious bodies in relation to requests for financial contributions to the mother and baby homes redress scheme raises questions for the Government, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. “While today’s […]

Households need immediate assistance to deal with crippling arrears The Government must use the summer months to put targeted supports in place for households caught in an endless cycle of energy poverty, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s energy spokesperson, made her comments after hearing submissions to the […]

House prices continue to rise while developers’ profits soar The latest Residential Property Price Index from the CSO will provide no comfort to those hoping to buy a home of their own, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “The figures show that house prices continue […]

Dr Muldoon deserves support, not platitudes, from the Government  The Government must act immediately to address the range of issues identified in the Ombudsman for Children’s 2022 report, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “Today’s report, based on over 1,800 complaints received last year, […]

Figures show that almost 60 per cent of family military accommodation is unoccupied  Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon has called on the Government to reconsider its policy of not providing military family accommodation to members of the Defence Forces. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s spokesperson on Defence, said: “I was prompted to raise this […]