Burden on parents of back-to-school costs must be lifted

Social Democrats Spokesperson for Children, Cllr Jennifer Whitmore, has said concerted efforts must be made to bring down back-to-school costs so that parents don’t have to resort to money lenders or use funds earmarked for household bills. “Simply sending your children to school should not mean having to rob Peter to pay Paul by using […]

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Planning permission granted for Baldoyle to Portmarnock cycling and walking route

Social Democrats Councillor Cian O’Callaghan has welcomed the decision by An Bord Pleanála today to grant planning permission for the Baldoyle to Portmarnock cycling and walking route “This new infrastructure will benefit commuters, local residents, visitors to the area and tourists. With large scale development taking place in Baldoyle, Portmarnock and surrounding areas it is […]

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Corporate landlord’s exploitation of rent loopholes morally repugnant

Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy TD said today it is morally repugnant that a State-backed corporate landlord has attempted to flout legal rent controls. The Minister for Housing needs to send a clear signal to corporate landlords that this kind of behaviour is morally repugnant, particularly at a time of chronic housing shortages and when […]

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Government shows breath-taking complacency over climate change targets

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD today called on the Minister for Health to intervene to compel the HSE to release smear slides to women affected by the CervicalCheck controversy so they can be independently reviewed. “It is totally shocking that the government is presiding over a situation where our carbon emissions are actually going […]

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Assurances needed over abortion services in religious run hospitals

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD has said the Minister for Health must provide clear assures that all publicly funded hospitals – including those connected to religious orders – will provide all legal healthcare services, including abortion services. “The Minister for Health needs to scotch any suggestions that patients will be denied vital services that […]

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Report on Banking Culture Proves Need for Alternative Model

Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy said that yesterday’s Central Bank Report is a damning indictment of the banking culture in Ireland and gives lie to the Government announcement earlier this month that there is ‘no compelling case’ for a public banking model. “The creation of a publicly owned community banking system – such as operates […]

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Digital apprenticeships could be powerful driver of inclusive prosperity

Social Democrats’ Spokesperson on Education Equality and Access, Cllr Gary Gannon, has said a large scale digital vocational training programme aimed at the unemployed and underemployed could be a powerful driver of inclusive prosperity. “Partnering with the big technology companies to implement a digital apprenticeship scheme would be game changing for Ireland’s economic prospects. It […]

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Minister for Health must come clean over Sláintecare health plan

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD has said the Minister for Health must come clean about the government’s commitment to the Sláintecare health reform plan which has cross-party support. The Taoiseach and the Minister for Finance need to accept that the reform programme will need a dedicated funding stream of its own, and if they […]

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Fresh faces: See our local election candidates

Here are just some of our people who’ll be seeking your support at the local council elections in May 2019. They are a great bunch of civic minded activists who have been campaigning hard to improve their communities and the environment. You can read more about our candidates in our People section.  

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