News

The decision to reintroduce state exam fees, which would heap further pressure on families already struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, must be reversed, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “The decision to bring back fees for students sitting the Junior and Leaving certificates sends the wrong signal to families who […]

The use of Special Emergency Arrangements (SEAs) as settings for vulnerable children to be housed must be brought to an end, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “The number of children in Special Emergency Arrangements has almost doubled in the past two years “Despite criticism from several judges and advocacy […]

Social Democrats Climate spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore has expressed concerns about the impact of the new Private Wires Bill on electricity demand and supply. She made her comments as volunteers and community groups across the country today marked a National Day of Action on Data Centres. “Volunteers and community groups across the country are raising awareness […]

This condescending commentary is in stark contrast to the approach taken by the government when a man was in the Áras Instead of issuing patronising statements about its role in setting foreign policy, the government should condemn the United States and Israel’s illegal attack on Iran, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. […]

It is highly inappropriate that the Minister for Housing is attending an international property conference in France this week aimed at enticing more vulture funds to Ireland, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “It is extremely disappointing that the Minister did not heed my call […]

Seachtain na Gaeilge must be used as an opportunity to focus on how we can keep the Irish language alive, and how we can support the communities that speak it, according to the Social Democrats’ Galway West by-election candidate Míde Nic Fhionnlaoich. Míde said: “We have much to be proud of when it comes to […]

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has criticised the Minister for Children’s response to the recent High Court ruling in relation to two institutions wrongly excluded from the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme. Deputy Cairns said: “The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme has been needlessly discriminatory since its inception, with 24,000 people excluded from […]

The government’s proposed changes to the Assessment of Need (AON) process — currently going through pre-legislative scrutiny in the Oireachtas — is essentially cover for years of service development failure, according to Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s spokesperson on disability and mental health, said: “Pre-legislative scrutiny with service providers, […]

Previous contractual commitments given to newly qualified paramedics must be honoured, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, the party’s health spokesperson, made his comments after raising the issue in the Dáil today. He said: “For the first time, newly qualified paramedics will not be offered permanent contracts. Instead, this cohort of graduates […]

The emergence of leaked video footage today makes a nonsense of claims by the Minister for Housing that eviction notices issued to tenants in 36 properties in Wexford last week were not related to the government’s new rent regulations, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “In the leaked video, the landlord’s […]