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An extensive suite of measures is needed to address the financial precarity of caring, according to Social Democrats social protection spokesperson Eoin Hayes. Deputy Hayes said: “Thousands of carers have been forced to cut back on heating and eating in order to provide for some of our most vulnerable people. The cost of care has […]

The FAI’s request for the Republic of Ireland’s home fixture against Israel in the UEFA Nations League to be moved to a neutral venue does not change the fact that the game should not be played in the first place, according to Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney, who is the party’s spokesperson on […]

The Dáil will debate a Social Democrats’ motion on Wednesday to put further pressure on the Government to prevent the Ireland-Israel fixture in the UEFA Nations League from going ahead. Deputy Sinéad Gibney, who is the party’s spokesperson on sport, said: “So far, all we have got from this Government is political doublespeak, with some […]

The Transport Minister must explain why the replacement of Irish Rail’s IT system is such an omnishambles and who is responsible, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly, who sits on the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee, said: “Last month, it was revealed that Irish Rail had written down the value of a new […]

There cannot be one rule for the Rotunda and one rule for every other public hospital The Health Minister must hold firm and ensure the Rotunda agrees to abide by State policy before sitting down to a meeting with its representatives, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is chair of […]

The imposing of a travel ban on Israel’s most far-right ministers must be only the beginning of Ireland’s actions to sanction Netanyahu’s rogue government, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich are the embodiment of everything that is evil about Israel’s genocidal regime […]

Social Democrats party leader Holly Cairns has announced that she is expecting her second child. Deputy Cairns said: “I am so happy to announce that we are expecting our second child. Barry and I are so excited and feel extremely lucky to be able to raise our family in West Cork. “I have always said […]

The Government cannot continue to ignore repeated warnings about the heavy demand that data centres are placing on Ireland’s energy systems, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on energy, said: “A UN report on the environmental impact of artificial intelligence has described Ireland as a live cautionary […]

Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins has welcomed today’s plan to professionalise the role of Special Needs Assistants, but notes that this is long overdue. Deputy Cummins said: “The new Workforce Development Plan and revised SNA contract announced today are the culmination of years of essential work by SNAs and intense negotiations by Forsa. “While […]

The Government’s new maximum fee cap for childcare services operating under the core funding model is a derisory reduction that will make little difference to hard-pressed families, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “Under the new maximum fee cap announced today by Children’s Minister […]