News

New figures released by the Simon Communities of Ireland highlight the serious challenges faced by those who are reliant on the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP), according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who represents Dublin North-West, said: “In its latest quarterly ‘Locked Out of the Market’ report, from December 2024, the homeless charity […]

The latest price hikes announced by waste provider Panda have been described as completely unjustified and unacceptable by Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate and biodiversity, said: “According to reports today, thousands of Panda’s domestic customers in parts of Dublin are set to be hit with price […]

A new report from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) provides some worrying insights into how the housing crisis is impacting young adults in Ireland, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. “The latest results from the ‘Growing Up in Ireland’ project show that 69 per cent of 25-year-olds still live with their parents. Among those, […]

Government parties are attempting to mount a rearguard action to reduce Opposition speaking time Instead of cynically using last week’s Dáil speaking time controversy as a pretext to erode Opposition Dáil time, the government could resolve the dispute by cutting all ties with Michael Lowry, according to Social Democrats acting leader Cian O’Callaghan. “Government pandering […]

The new government must prioritise the full implementation of the third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore made her comments after new figures revealed a 20 per cent rise over the last two years in the number of domestic violence incidents reported to gardaí. […]

The Dáil must be recalled this week to discuss the devastation caused by Storm Éowyn along with plans to provide support to the hundreds and thousands of people still without electricity and water, according to Social Democrats acting leader Cian O’Callaghan. “Storm Éowyn left a trail of utter destruction in its wake, with the west […]

Ireland can expect to experience more extreme weather events like Storm Éowyn if we fail to achieve our climate action targets, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate, said: “As we once again count the cost of another major storm, the harsh reality is that Ireland […]

It is deeply disappointing that the number of women in cabinet has reduced by 25 per cent to just three, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. “There are now as many men named James in the cabinet as there are women. “Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael pay lip service to increasing women’s representation in […]

Repeated claims by the previous government that up to 40,000 homes would be built in 2024 have been exposed as pure fiction by Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures published today, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. “The CSO has confirmed that a total of 30,330 homes were built last year – a decrease of […]

The millions of euro set to be wasted on the rollout of mobile phone pouches in schools would be better spent tackling education disadvantage, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins, who represents Dublin South-Central, made her comments after the Department of Education advertised a tender for the scheme, which is worth €7.3 […]