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The Social Democrats today published a Budget2020 document which has prioritised key domestic issues which the party says must be tackled regardless of the current or future Brexit situation. SocDems Budget2020 priorities are: • Freeze Rents Nationwide • End Home-Care Waiting Lists • A National Home Retrofit Programme • Better Funding for Disability Services • […]

The Social Democrats described today’s latest Brexit sop by Boris Johnson as a cynical and self-serving exercise which shows a complete disregard for the Good Friday Agreement and a lack of understanding or care for the delicate balance of the peace process. Party co-leader Róisín Shortall TD said: “These last-minute proposals put forward today by […]

“We know first-hand from working parents and guardians that they were impatient for the extended parental leave which we introduced in our Parental Leave Act, which took effect this month.” The Social Democrats today renewed calls for a national conversation on greater availability of a four-day working week along with government supports to get going […]

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD has slammed the Government for its failure to publish a new anti-poverty strategy. Deputy Shortall said: “The last anti-poverty strategy ran out at the end of 2017. It was a major failing of the Government and of the Department that there was no new strategy ready to replace it. […]

The Social Democrats today called on the government to prioritise the protection of public services and living standards against Brexit. The call was made ahead of the party’s annual Think-In in Dublin, which is exploring ways to tackle living costs, increase capacity in public transport and ensure better work-life balance. Party co-leaders Róisín Shortall TD and […]

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD has welcomed the publication today of the Independent Review Group report into removing private healthcare from public hospitals under the Sláintecare programme for a reformed public health service. Deputy Shortall chaired the special cross-party Oireachtas Committee which agreed the Sláintecare strategy, a key plank of which is the phased […]

A key test of the success of the plan is whether the public sees an appreciable improvement in policing activity in their communities, especially in anti-social activity.” “The ultimate test is whether there is greater engagement of the Gardaí with local communities and greater accountability of policing services both at local and national level.” Giving […]

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD today called for legal changes to allow gardaí to seize and ‘crush’ scrambler and quad bikes being driven dangerously in public spaces. Deputy Shortall made the call in support of today’s report by the Finglas Safety Forum which found that three quarters of residents are very concerned about the […]

The Social Democrats have called on the Minister for Justice to provide urgent clarification in the wake of this week’s shocking High Court ruling which has caused distress and worry among people with pending applications for citizenship. The party’s co-leader Róisín Shortall TD said: “The High Court ruling that requires residents who apply for Irish […]

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD today welcomed the announced proposals to restructure the HSE to create six new regional health areas, as recommended in the Sláintecare health reform plan. Deputy Shortall said: “This was a key recommendation in the Sláintecare report and was one of the most common issues raised with the all-party Oireachtas […]