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Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has expressed frustration at the Minister for Children’s refusal to commit to a physical survey and possible excavation of the Bessborough mother and baby home grounds in Cork. “This is the possible burial place of hundreds of unaccounted for children who died at this notorious institution, which operated as a […]

The €9 million allocated in the budget for the purchase of mobile phone pouches for schools has been described by Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon as a scandalous waste of money. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s education spokesperson, said: “With schools around the country struggling to pay their bills or for basic classroom materials […]

Today’s budget is a giveaway on steroids that is bad for the public and bad for the State, according to Social Democrats finance spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “Budget 2025 has just one overriding purpose – self-preservation of the Government parties. “It bears all the hallmarks of a Bertie Budget – hardly surprising when you consider that […]

A derisory 5 per cent increase in stamp duty on bulk purchases will continue to facilitate investment funds snapping up homes at the expense of first-time buyers, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. “Budget 2025 was a golden opportunity to begin the radical change that is needed to fix the housing crisis. Instead, […]

The Government’s disastrous handling of housing has resulted in house prices increasing by nearly 40 per cent since it took office, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “According to the latest figures published by Daft.ie, asking prices for homes across the country rose by 3.1 […]

The latest homelessness figures show the tragic consequences of 13 years of Fine Gael-led governments, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s spokesperson on housing, said: “There are now 14,486 people living in homeless emergency accommodation – the highest ever recorded in the history of the State. “Shockingly, 4,419 […]

Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon has called on the Government to immediately publish the Dublin city centre taskforce report and clarify if funding has been ringfenced for its implementation in next week’s Budget. Deputy Gannon, who represents Dublin Central, said: “After years of dithering, the Government finally established a special taskforce for the inner city […]

The Social Democrats have launched their Alternative Budget 2025 – titled ‘Building Services, Building Communities’ – which focuses on investment in public services to drive down the cost of living, targets support at those who need it most and prioritises children and families. Investing in affordable housing; creating a public model of childcare; increasing parent’s […]

The Minister for Health must immediately clarify if and when he became aware of a confidential report, which raises serious questions about the HSE’s readiness to commission and operate the National Children’s Hospital, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “While the Minister has been extremely keen to foist all the blame on developer […]

A multi-agency approach is needed to remove or remediate thousands of man-made barriers to fish migration in Ireland’s rivers, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on biodiversity, said: “What is happening across Ireland’s network of rivers and streams is nothing less than an ecological tragedy. “Man-made barriers […]