News

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall has expressed serious concern at revelations that the Minister for Health only learned of the unfolding crisis with the contact tracing system on Tuesday night. Deputy Shortall, who is the party’s spokesperson on Health, said: “Today’s statement from the Department of Health on the collapse of the testing and tracing […]

Social Democrats Housing spokesperson and Dublin Bay North TD, Cian O’Callaghan, is calling on the Government to extend the planned ban on evictions for six months. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “We need decisive, concrete action from the Government on evictions. Bouncing in and out of temporary and partial bans is not good enough at this stage. […]

Jennifer Whitmore TD, Social Democrats spokesperson for Children, has welcomed the publication of an expert advisory group’s report on reforming Ireland’s direct provision system. Deputy Whitmore said: “The advisory group, which is led by former Secretary General of the European Commission, Dr Catherine Day, has sent a list of recommendations to the Minister for Justice Helen […]

The Social Democrats believe it is imperative that proposed legislation to seal the records of the archives of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes for 30 years is not passed into law when it comes before the Dáil this evening. A number of amendments to the Bill have been put forward by […]

The Social Democrats have called for assurances from senior management around the future of Ulster Bank in Ireland. The call comes from the party as the Minister for Finance meets the bank today. Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD said: “There has been speculation for weeks around the future of Ulster Bank. Neither bank management in Ireland, nor the parent company Natwest, […]

The Social Democrats have called for swift action to introduce a targeted sick pay scheme for staff in the nursing home sector and meat industry. Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD today raised with the Taoiseach the need for the immediate introduction of a targeted scheme for staff who are particularly vulnerable. Commenting, Deputy Shortall said: “We have repeatedly […]

Holly Cairns TD, Social Democrats spokesperson for Further and Higher Education, has called on the Government to immediately address the impact of Level 5 restrictions on third level students. Holly said: “As the lockdown comes into effect this week, college students will face a particular set of challenges, so it is essential for the Government […]

Social Democrats councillor for the Rush Lusk ward, Paul Mulville, has called on a special Government taskforce to urgently visit local communities directly affected by coastal erosion and flooding. Cllr Mulville said: “The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, has assembled the National Coastal Change Management Strategy Steering Group, which I have […]

The passing of legislation that would result in the archive of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes being sealed for 30 years would be an act of political cowardice, according to the Social Democrats. Dublin Central TD, Gary Gannon, said: “This week, politicians across the island received thousands of emails from citizens […]

Holly Cairns TD, Social Democrats spokesperson for Disability Issues, has expressed disappointment that core welfare payments for people with disabilities have not been increased in Budget 2021. Holly said: “We all welcome the €100 million increase in funding to assist people with disabilities, which will help with the reopening of day services and move people […]