News

The next government must not lose focus on Ireland’s climate action responsibilities, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate action, said: “According to the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, 2024 was the first full year in which global temperatures exceeded 1.5C above pre-industrial times. In fact, […]

Consideration should be given to setting up a State-run death notice website following the decision by RIP.ie to charge €100 for funeral listings, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. “RIP.ie has proven to be a highly effective way of notifying people of deaths that occur in local communities around the country, with millions using […]

It is completely unacceptable that the rollout of free hormone replacement therapy for women has been delayed by a farcical blame game between the Department of Health and pharmacists, according to Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney, who represents Dublin-Rathdown, said: “Women suffering from symptoms of menopause have found themselves caught in the crossfire […]

Predicted house price increases for 2025 will come as further grim news for those hoping to buy a home of their own, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who represents Dublin North-West, said: “According to its latest residential market review and outlook, estate agent DNG forecasts that house prices across the country […]

Reported breaches of building regulations in one of the State’s largest affordable housing schemes raises serious questions for the developer and Dublin City Council, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who represents Dublin North-West, said: “It is deeply concerning to learn that delivery of homes at Oscar Traynor Woods could be delayed […]

The latest homelessness figures confirm that a shameful milestone was reached under the watch of the previous government, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who represents Dublin North-West, said: “When the previous government was formed in June 2020, there were 8,699 people in homeless emergency accommodation, 2,653 of them children. “As the […]

A delay to the promised rollout of free hormone replacement therapy has been described as an insult to women by Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney, who represents Dublin-Rathdown, said: “To much fanfare, outgoing Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly announced free HRT for women suffering from symptoms of menopause – a €20 million budgetary […]

Skyrocketing property prices continue to be the main barrier to owning a home in Ireland, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “The latest national Residential Property Price Index, published today by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), recorded a 9.7 per cent increase in the 12 […]

The HSE must explain why it is sitting on more than 200 vacant properties in the middle of a housing crisis, according to Social Democrats deputy leader Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “With almost 15,000 people – including over 4,600 children – set to wake up on Christmas Day […]

The imminent opening of a supervised injection centre at Merchants Quay in Dublin must mark the start of a new chapter in how we treat drug addiction in Ireland, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who represents Dublin Central, said: “I have long advocated for a health-led, compassionate response to our capital’s […]