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Catherine Murphy TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, has questioned the logic of the State entering into 25-year leases with developers for the purpose of providing social housing. Speaking in the Dáil today, Deputy Murphy said: “Health has been front and centre this year due to Covid-19 and as a result the housing crisis has […]

Social Democrats TD for Wicklow, Jennifer Whitmore, has welcomed today’s positive response from the Taoiseach to her call to suspend deportations during the Covid-19 crisis. Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy Whitmore raised the plight of a constituent living in Wicklow who was recently served with a Deportation Order back to his country of origin, which […]

Investment in mental health services needs to be front and centre of the Government’s response to Covid-19, according to Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats. Speaking in the Dáil today, Deputy Shortall said: “Covid-19 has had an unprecedented impact on physical and mental health. At a time when demand has increased, service delivery […]

Social Democrats TD for Wicklow, Jennifer Whitmore, has expressed concern about the new assessment of needs system, which she believes is failing children and families. She made her comments after parents and child development experts attended a meeting of the Oireachtas Children’s Committee. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson for Children, voiced a number […]

Social Democrats TD for Wicklow, Jennifer Whitmore, has welcomed today’s Cabinet approval to extend Parental Leave by a further three weeks. However, she has urged the Department of Children to make it payable to parents at the start of the new year and not in April 2021, as proposed in the Budget. Deputy Whitmore, who […]

Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns has expressed outrage at plans for a Strategic Housing Development and apartment blocks in the vicinity of Bessborough Mother and Baby Institution in Cork city. After raising the issue with the Taoiseach in the Dáil today, Holly said: “More than 900 children died while in the care of nuns at […]

Social Democrats Housing spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan T.D. said: “A significant number of people who are sleeping rough on our streets and in tents are being denied access to emergency accommodation. The Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien T.D. stated on Morning Ireland that no-one is being turned away from emergency accommodation. This statement is simply incorrect. […]

Social Democrats TD for Wicklow, Jennifer Whitmore, has called for a significant increase in funding for environmental organisations. She made the call after it was revealed by the Irish Environmental Network that its organisations received on average only €13,000 from the Environment Fund in the Department of Environment. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson […]

Social Democrats TD for Cork South-West, Holly Cairns, has again highlighted the devastating mental toll that Covid-19 restrictions in maternity hospitals are having on expectant parents. For the past number of months, Holly has been one of the most prominent voices in the campaign to have restrictions relaxed and today voiced her frustration at the […]

Speaking on International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns said it is important for the State to recognise the challenges, achievements and realities of being a person with a disability in Ireland. Holly, who is the Social Democrats spokesperson for Disability Issues, said: “This year, the World Health Organisation celebrates the […]