News

Today’s opening of the NCSE portal for 2027/28 special education places – at a time when schools are shut for the summer and many families may be away on holiday – could result in parents missing the September deadline for applications, Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins has warned. Deputy Cummins, who is the party’s education […]

The gutted version of the Occupied Territories Bill that the Government is ramming through the Oireachtas will not effectively sanction Israel, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “It is unforgivable that the Government has gutted the Occupied Territories Bill and diluted its impact by excluding a ban on services. […]

The latest Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures on electricity consumption by data centres have been described as alarming, but not surprising, by Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s energy spokesperson, said: “The CSO has confirmed that data centres accounted for 23% of all metered electricity in 2025. This is a […]

The Minister for Housing must implement emergency measures to prevent the housing disaster from robbing any more young people of their futures here, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “The social contract has been broken for those who dream of owning a home. Hundreds of thousands of lives have been […]

Social Democrats TD Daniel Ennis has praised Roberto ‘Pico’ Lopes following his return from the World Cup with Cape Verde, and used the moment to renew his call on the Government for real investment in League of Ireland academies, grassroots and communities. Deputy Ennis, who is the party’s spokesperson on sport, said: “Coming from a […]

The Dáil will debate a Social Democrats’ motion on Wednesday (July 8) calling for the right of every adult with an intellectual disability to live as independently as possible, with the supports they need, in their own community. Liam Quaide TD, the party’s disability spokesperson, said: “Our motion is informed by the testimony of disabled […]

Inner city communities have been left to fend for themselves as scramblers wreak havoc, according to Social Democrats TD Daniel Ennis. Deputy Ennis, who represents the Dublin Central constituency, said: “Last week, I shared the harrowing experience of Jayden Deans, a child with additional needs who was knocked down by a scrambler on his way […]

The Government has left families to fend for themselves as they are priced out of skyrocketing gas and electricity prices, according to Social Democrats energy spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “This week, we learned two of Ireland’s household energy providers, Electric Ireland and Yuno Energy, will be charging an additional €250 to €300 every […]

The plight of children living in emergency accommodation highlights the importance of incorporating the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child into Irish law, according to Social Democrats TD Daniel Ennis. Deputy Ennis, who is a TD for Dublin Central and the party’s spokesperson on children, made his comments after attending his first meeting […]

The Coalition must give its TDs a free vote on this evening’s bill which would ban hare coursing, according to Social Democrats agriculture spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “I’m calling on the Government to give a free vote to their TDs when it comes to voting on the Hare Coursing Bill, which will be […]