News

A Social Democrats private members’ bill to increase unpaid leave entitlements for working parents is due to complete its passage through the Oireachtas in the coming weeks. “For parents with pre-school children in particular, unpaid parental leave might be a more economical alternative to paying for formal childcare.” A Social Democrats private members’ bill to […]

A Social Democrats’ private members’ bill to enable working parents to spend more time caring for their children goes to committee stage tomorrow, Wednesday 16th May. The Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2017 allows parents to take a total of six months (26 weeks) unpaid leave from their jobs without their employment rights being affected. This […]

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD today called on the Minister for Health to intervene to make sure that all 206 women whose smear tests have shown they have cervical cancer are notified immediately. Deputy Shortall said: “It beggars belief that no lessons appear to have been learned out of the tragedy of Vicky Phelan’s […]

The Social Democrats today publish reform proposals to make lobbying activities more open and government decisions more accountable. The initiative is in direct response to the recent controversy over highly inappropriate contacts between Communications Minister Denis Naughten and a professional lobbyist for Independent News and Media in relation to the company’s proposed takeover of Celtic […]

The Social Democrats have said the government must restore capitation rates for primary schools in this year’s Budget to ease the unsustainable burden on parents of subsidising the State’s ‘free education’. The party’s co-leader Róisín Shortall TD made the call following reports today of analysis by Grant Thornton which shows that parents are forking out […]

The Social Democrats have selected Aengus Ó Maoláin to contest the next general election in Dublin West for the party. Party members met in the Bell in Blanchardstown on Monday the 9th of April where Ó Maoláin was chosen unanimously to represent the party. Speaking at the convention Ó Maoláin said, “the Social Democrats speak […]

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD today called on the Government to wake up to the crisis in General Practice and set out a timetable to reverse austerity cuts which are harming GP practices and patients. Deputy Shortall made her comments as major differences have emerged between the State and doctors over the scale of […]

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD has expressed incredulity at the findings of the review into the Department of Justice’s failure to forward key documents to the Charleton Tribunal. Deputy Shortall said: “The review carried out by Senior Counsel Michael Collins shows an alarming degree of incompetence and laxity within the Department in its handling […]

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD has called on Transport Infrastructure Ireland to make a commitment to engage with public representatives and Na Fianna personnel to find alternatives to the use of the Glasnevin club’s GAA pitches for the new MetroLink route. The Dublin North West TD said: “The planned use of Na Fianna’s grounds […]

Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, has branded as ‘disgraceful’ a response from the Minister of State with responsibility for Disability issues, Finian McGrath where he admits he has no plan or timeframe for the enactment of a key component of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Deputy Shortall […]