Government presides over shameful rise in number of adults still living with their parents

Failure to provide enough affordable housing has left a generation unable to make their own start in life Census results released today show that the number of adults still living with their parents has skyrocketed under this Government, according to Social Democrats deputy leader Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: […]

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Minister must address parents’ concerns over School Transport Scheme

Bus Éireann needs to clarify the numbers affected by driver shortages and give a timeline for resolution of the issue  The Social Democrats have called on Bus Éireann and the Department of Education to immediately outline what steps will be taken to address serious shortcomings in the operation of the School Transport Scheme. Jennifer Whitmore, […]

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Lack of protections for renters contributing to record homelessness levels

Housing Minister must immediately reinstate no-fault eviction ban Lack of basic protections for renters is contributing to record levels of homelessness, according to Social Democrats deputy leader Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “The latest figures show there are now 12,847 people living in homeless emergency accommodation. This is the […]

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Government has lost control of National Children’s Hospital project

Minister for Health unable to provide details of new completion date or an estimate of final costs for troubled development The Minister for Health’s inability to provide a revised completion date or estimate of final costs for the new National Children’s Hospital shows that the Government has lost control of the project, according to Social […]

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Government fails to hold energy companies to account

Despite dramatic falls in wholesale electricity costs, households face sky-high energy bills this winter Irish households are facing another winter of sky-high gas and electricity bills due to the Government’s failure to act on sky-high energy prices, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on energy, said: “It […]

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Damning report into CAMHS must be a catalyst for change

Children and adolescents experiencing mental health difficulties are being failed by the State Today’s damning report into Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) must be a catalyst for fundamental change in how the HSE operates, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “The independent review of CAMHS by Dr Susan Finnerty, the Inspector […]

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Holly Cairns visits Limerick as Cllr Elisa O’Donovan selected to run for Social Democrats in 2024 Local Elections

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has welcomed the selection of Cllr Elisa O’Donovan as the party’s Limerick City West candidate for the 2024 Local Elections. Deputy Cairns, who took over the leadership of the Social Democrats from co-founders Róisín Shortall and Catherine Murphy earlier this year, visited the city today to meet with members of […]

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AHR announcement a welcome first step – but additional funding will be required

Legislation underpinning assisted human reproduction is still not in place Social Democrats health spokesperson Róisín Shortall has called for additional funding to be allocated in next year’s Budget so that the eligibility criteria for assisted human reproduction (AHR) treatment can be widened. “Today’s announcement that publicly funded assisted human reproduction will commence from September is […]

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