News

Catherine Murphy TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, has today called for a reversal of cuts to the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) and immediate income supports for parents whose children are sent home from school due to Covid-19 outbreaks. Deputy Murphy said: “For most of those who were laid-off last Friday, this will be their […]

The Social Democrats are pleased to announce the appointment of Paul Dillon as our Senior Political Director. Paul will join the Social Democrats from the Financial Services Union, where he was Growth and Communications Manager. He has almost two decades experience in campaigns, communications, and policy. He is a graduate of UCD and DIT. A […]

The Dublin Social Democrats TDs, Róisín Shortall, Cian O’Callaghan and Gary Gannon, and Dublin Social Democrat Councillors, have called on people living in the capital to work together to drive down the virus, after the Government decision to move to Level 3 of the Covid Plan, based on NHPET advice. In a joint statement, they […]

Social Democrats TD for Cork South-West and party spokesperson for Agriculture, Holly Cairns, has expressed concern that the agreement reached today between Meat Industry Ireland and SIPTU on safety protocols for workers in meat plants does not include provision for sick pay. Holly said: “The aim of this agreement is to suppress Covid-19 infections in […]

Social Democrats TD for Cork South-West, Holly Cairns, has called on the Department of Community and Rural Development and the Islands to extend funding for rural areas and provide specific investment for villages. Speaking in the Dáil, Holly said: “The Town and Village Renewal Scheme, which has been tailored to address the challenges associated with […]

The Social Democrats’ three Dublin TDs have called on the Government to outline what specific financial supports will be provided for businesses and employees when additional restrictions come into force in the capital tonight. In a joint statement, Deputies Róisín Shortall, Gary Gannon and Cian O’Callaghan said: “The rising rates of infection in Dublin are […]

Jennifer Whitmore TD, Social Democrats spokesperson on Children, has backed calls for the Government to commission an expert report to examine the feasibility of a four-day working week. Deputy Whitmore made her comments after attending a public briefing event by the Four Day Week Ireland campaign this morning. She said: “The Social Democrats fully support […]

Social Democrats TD for Wicklow, Jennifer Whitmore, says the recent Ombudsman for Children report reinforces concerns over the negative impact that Covid-19 is having on children, particularly as they reintegrate into the school environment. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Children, said: “The Ombudsman for Children in Ireland published its annual report which […]

Social Democrats TD for Dublin Central, Gary Gannon, has insisted that representatives of the commercial live events sector be included on a special Government taskforce for the recovery of the arts and culture. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s spokesperson for the Arts, said: “The thousands of workers in the live events sector will have […]

Catherine Murphy TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats and spokesperson on Transport, today called for immediate supports to be put in place to assist those working in the taxi and small public service vehicle sector. Deputy Murphy said: “It is vital that the Government takes immediate action to show that it is listening to the […]