News

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has called for all accommodation used under the State’s Direct Provision system to be inspected by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) following a damning report by the Ombudsman for Children. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “This is the first time that the Ombudsman’s […]

Data published by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) provides further insights into the widening affordability gap faced by those seeking to buy a home of their own, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s spokesperson on housing, said: “An analysis of the data, which was published by the CSO […]

A Government proposal to increase penalty points for motorists on bank holiday weekends should not be a substitute for high visibility policing and enhanced enforcement of road traffic legislation, according to Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy. Deputy Murphy, who is the party’s spokesperson on justice, said: “In response to the worrying rise in road deaths […]

At tomorrow’s emergency summit of European leaders, the Taoiseach must condemn EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s decision to offer unqualified support to Israel’s ethnic cleansing in Gaza, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon said: “On Friday, Ursula von der Leyen had a valuable opportunity to make a positive […]

Social Democrats health spokesperson Róisín Shortall has called on the Minister for Public Expenditure, Paschal Donohoe, to take questions in the Dáil this week and explain why there is a €2 billion hole in the health service budget for 2024. “Minister Donohoe must come into the Dáil this week and explain why this Government continues […]

The Government’s failure to avert tomorrow’s strike action by Section 39 workers will heap further pressure on threadbare services for the elderly and people with disabilities, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. Deputy Cairns, who is the party’s spokesperson on disability, said: “There was an expectation that last week’s Budget would allocate funding to […]

The HSE’s latest recruitment freeze is a short-sighted decision that will directly impact patient care, according to Social Democrats Health Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “By OECD standards, Ireland ranks only about halfway in terms of health funding. In this week’s Budget, the Government were throwing around money like it was going out of fashion. At the […]

The Irish Government must exert pressure on EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to intervene in the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. “Ms von der Leyen is today in Israel and has the ear of the Israeli government. She is now perfectly positioned to make a strong […]

Disability services continue to be shamefully neglected by the Government in Budget 2024, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. Deputy Cairns, who is the party’s spokesperson on disability, said: “People with disabilities must fight for the most basic rights from the day they are born. Despite the ongoing crisis in services, this Government continues […]

Budget 2024 missed an opportunity to make primary and secondary school education in Ireland genuinely free, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s education spokesperson, said: “Although the provision of free schoolbooks up to Junior Certificate level is welcome, it is baffling that the Government chose to take a […]