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At an international housing event today, Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne repeated his call on the government to retain rent caps, Deputy Hearne made his comments at the International Union of Tenants’ forum in the Conference Centre, Dublin, which will see more than 2,000 people taking part in the International Social Housing Festival. He said: […]

Today’s confirmation from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that Ireland is not prepared for the potentially catastrophic impact of climate change is extremely concerning, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate, said: “The findings of the first-ever National Climate Change Risk Assessment confirm our worst fears […]

The government must not repeat the same failed approach to the expansion of the prison system by treating rehabilitation as an afterthought, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s spokesperson on justice, said: “With a record number of people in prisons and sleeping on floors, it’s clear that our […]

Serious concerns about the oversight of NTPF funding must be addressed  The executive team of the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) must urgently appear before the Public Accounts Committee to answer questions about governance and oversight arrangements at the body, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly. “The budget of the NTPF has increased exponentially […]

Government proposals could undermine children’s disability assessments and result in the misdiagnosis of their conditions, Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide has warned. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s spokesperson on disability, said: “When recently pressed on the crisis in disability services, the Taoiseach’s main proposal was a change in legislation to reduce the length of […]

Every child deserves not just a school place – but an appropriate place that will help them to reach their full potential  The Education Minister must urgently clarify if she is plans to redesignate special schools which cater to children who have mild general learning disabilities, according to Social Democrats Education Spokesperson Jen Cummins. “Due […]

Today’s record numbers are a direct result of failed government policies, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne made his comments as a new record high for homelessness was confirmed this afternoon: “Today’s figures show there were 15,580 people living in homeless emergency accommodation at the end of April. Shockingly, 4,775 of […]

Ireland has a legal obligation under the Genocide Convention to do everything we can to stop genocide, according to Social Democrats Foreign Affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “It is shameful that the government is hiding behind vague legal advice when it comes to preventing the Central Bank from facilitating the sale of Israeli […]

The government must heed warnings that new housing developments will be put at risk if it continues to roll out the red carpet for data centres, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on energy, said: “Oonagh Buckley, secretary general at the Department of Environment, Climate and Energy, […]

Today’s revelation of an IT overspend of €900,000 by RTÉ shows that lack of transparency and mismanagement continue to plague the national broadcaster, according to Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney, who is the party’s spokesperson on arts and the media, said: “Just weeks after it emerged RTÉ had to write-down €3.6 million due […]