News

The government and Minister for Education is allowing teacher shortages to spiral out of control due to inaction, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “The teacher recruitment and retention crisis has brought schools around the country to their knees – the government cannot sit on the sidelines while teachers and […]

The Taoiseach’s belated acceptance that there is price gouging occurring in the energy sector must be followed by immediate government action to prevent consumers from further exploitation, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s energy spokesperson, said: “When questioned on this issue by our party leader Holly Cairns in […]

Shannon Airport must not be used to launch attacks on Iran as part of the United States and Israel’s illegal war, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “The Irish government must give a categoric commitment that Shannon Airport will not be used to launch attacks on Iran as part […]

Figures released today by housing charity Threshold provide further proof that the government was wrong to proceed with the introduction of its disastrous new rent regulations this week, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “Threshold’s final quarter figures for 2025 show a 21 per cent […]

The government must take urgent action to prevent price gouging by energy companies as the situation in the Middle East continues to worsen, according to Social Democrats energy spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore TD. Deputy Whitmore said: “There are reports today that the cost of home heating oil is already soaring. This is outrageous. Any company selling […]

The Social Democrats have officially launched Míde Nic Fhionnlaoich’s campaign for the forthcoming Galway West by-election. The launch, which took place in the Harbour Hotel in Galway on Saturday, was attended by Social Democrats deputy leader Cian O’Callaghan TD, Sinéad Gibney TD, and Senator Patricia Stephenson, who is the party’s director of elections for Galway […]

The issuing of eviction notices to 36 separate households in Wexford by just one landlord is indicative of the huge crisis in the rental sector as the government ploughs ahead with measures that will make the situation even worse, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “For months now, I have […]

The government must strongly condemn military action against Iran by the United States and Israel, which has completely destabilised the Middle East and put Irish peacekeeping troops and thousands of our citizens at risk, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “The US and Israel must be condemned in the […]

The number of people experiencing homelessness has surpassed 17,000 for the first time in the State’s history, a 417% increase in those living in homelessness since 2014, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “Today’s figures show there were a record 17,112 people living in homeless emergency accommodation at the end […]

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has expressed her horror at Cork City Council’s decision to grant planning permission for 140 apartments on lands at the former Bessborough mother and baby home. Deputy Cairns said: “This is the possible burial place of hundreds of unaccounted for children who died at this notorious institution, which operated as […]