News

It is shameful that disabled people continue to be at such a huge risk of living in poverty, according to Social Democrats Spokesperson for Disability Liam Quaide. “New research from the ESRI has today painted a stark picture of the huge financial pressures faced by disabled people. “Not only are they at a greatly increased […]

New figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) showing an almost 40 per cent drop in planning permissions for apartments last year is further evidence that the government’s housing system is broken, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “These figures are stark and have huge […]

New figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) highlight the significant impact of housing costs on deprivation levels in Ireland, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “Last year, three in 10 households (29.5 per cent) regarded housing costs as a heavy financial burden. However, this […]

Delays to the construction of thousands of social and affordable homes due to an interdepartmental row over funding is further proof that this government is not capable of tackling the housing crisis, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “It has been reported today that work […]

The Government must stop dithering and make a decision to extend the Basic Income for the Arts scheme before the current pilot runs out, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly, who’s the party’s Arts spokesperson, said: “When I queried the Arts Minister on his plans for a successor scheme to the pilot […]

Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice TD has called on the Minister for Health to publish the long-awaited sexual health strategy for Ireland. Deputy Rice, who raised this issue in the Dáil today, said: “Ireland currently has no sexual health strategy. We have been without a comprehensive plan or vision for sexual health services since […]

The government must act to insulate consumers from future energy price increases, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s energy spokesperson, said: “Energy prices in Ireland are the second highest in the EU – and they are continuing to climb. “Last week, Airtricity announced it was hiking its prices […]

There’s no time to waste when it comes to addressing appalling conditions in our prison system, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, the party’s Justice spokesperson, said: “The conditions described in the Office of the Inspector of Prisons (OIP) report are horrendous – some prisoners are forced to sleep on floors and […]

The government is wrong to postpone the introduction of a short-term letting register, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, the party’s Housing spokesperson, said: “The government is wrong to further delay crucial airbnb regulation which could see twelve thousand homes move from the short-term to the long-term rental market. “The housing crisis […]

The government must put pressure on financial institutions and vulture funds to pass on an anticipated interest rate cut by the European Central Bank (ECB) to mortgage holders, according to Social Democrats acting leader Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s finance spokesperson, said: “The ECB is expected to announce a sixth interest rate […]