News

The Social Democrats today outlined some of the key measures they would implement in government, including the appointment of a senior Disability Minister, as the party launched its disability policy. The policy was launched by Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns and Susan Doyle, a solicitor, disability rights advocate and general election candidate for the party […]

The Social Democrats will insist on a full Minister for Disability as a precondition for their participation in any future Government after the general election, according to party leader Holly Cairns. “We clearly need a senior Minister for Disability so the interests of disabled people in Ireland are represented at the Cabinet table. This will […]

Skyrocketing house prices are locking a generation out of homeownership, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “The cost of buying a home has increased by a further 10.1 per cent in the past 12 months, according to the latest Residential Property Price Index from the […]

Documents obtained under a Freedom of Information request by Social Democrats councillor Chris Pender have exposed unacceptable delays to the Dublin Commuter Zone fare determination project. Cllr Pender, who is the party’s general election candidate for Kildare South, said: “The Dublin Commuter Zone fare determination project is important for Kildare South as it will significantly […]

Reports of a taskforce proposal to relocate RTÉ to the GPO on O’Connell Street prove that the Government is not serious about the rejuvenation of Dublin city centre, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is a TD for Dublin Central, said: “As soon as he became Taoiseach, Simon Harris vowed to […]

The Social Democrats have revealed ambitious plans for the delivery of tens of thousands of affordable homes over a five-year period. Details of the fully costed proposals are outlined in the party’s new policy document, ‘Homes Within Reach – Our Plan for Affordable Housing’, which was launched in Dublin today (Monday, October 14). The policy […]

The Agriculture Minister must act on cruelty inflicted on calves in the dairy sector, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. Deputy Cairns, the party’s spokesperson on agriculture, was commenting on an RTÉ investigation into cruelty and mistreatment inflicted on calves in the dairy sector. “This Minister has been asleep at the wheel while gross […]

A new report highlighting the impact of poverty on a child’s performance in school is further proof that the Government got its priorities badly wrong in last week’s budget, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s education spokesperson, said: “The ‘Children’s School Lives’ study, which looked at 4,000 students […]

Disability services were shamefully neglected by the Government in Budget 2025, according to a breakdown of figures provided to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. Deputy Cairns, who is the party’s spokesperson on disability, said: “Every year we go through the same farce of this Government announcing a high-level figure for investment in disability services. This […]

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has welcomed the Government’s belated decision to ratify the optional protocol of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and has called for the process to be completed without any further delay. “Ireland signed the UNCRPD as far back as 2007 and ratified it in 2018. But […]