News

Cork South-West TD, Holly Cairns, today highlighted the serious challenges faced by people with disabilities during the pandemic and called on the Government to address their needs when it publishes its ‘Living With Covid’ strategy next week. Speaking in the Dáil, Holly said: “The past few months have been an incredibly challenging time for people […]

The suspension of Covid-19 testing at meat plants completely undermines assurances from the HSE that there is capacity in the system to carry out 100,000 tests a week, according to Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats. Deputy Shortall said: “Public confidence in the Government’s test and trace programme will have been further eroded […]

Social Democrats TD for Wicklow, Jennifer Whitmore, has renewed her call for the appointment of an Online Safety Commissioner following the stark findings of new report from Cyber Safety Ireland. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Children, said: “The report revealed that more than 90 percent of children aged between eight and 12 […]

Holly Cairns TD, Social Democrats spokesperson for Further and Higher Education, has called for targeted funding for colleges and universities to establish hubs or micro-satellite campuses which would enable rural students to complete courses online. Holly said: “One of the main barriers for students in rural Ireland is poor or non-existent broadband. With most courses […]

Social Democrats Brexit spokesperson, Cian O’Callaghan TD, today called on the Government to step up its preparations for a No Trade Deal Brexit. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “Following the threat by the UK Government to renege on the withdrawal agreement, the prospect of a worse-case scenario No Trade Deal Brexit is very real. “43% of Irish […]

Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, and Cork South West TD, Holly Cairns, have called on the HSE to ease the restrictions in maternity wards that prevent partners being present for the entirety of the mother’s labour and for the duration of the hospital stay. Deputy Cairns said: “In the past few weeks […]

Dublin North West TD and co-leader of the Social Democrats, Róisín Shortall, said there is considerable disappointment and anger about An Bord Pleanála’s decision to grant permission for the Omni Strategic Housing Development (SHD). Deputy Shortall said: “A 12-storey, 324 apartment development is completely unsuitable for Santry and utterly out of sync with the character […]

Holly Cairns TD, Social Democrats spokesperson for Agriculture and the Marine, has said that the Government’s new penalty points system for the fishing industry is deeply flawed and not fit for purpose. Holly said: “The penalty points system is designed to target breaches of fisheries rules but those working in the industry are concerned that […]

Gary Gannon TD, Social Democrats spokesperson on Education, has said that the reopening of schools has led to serious concerns for families where there are underlying health conditions. Deputy Gannon said: “Last week, I raised a situation facing one family where a mother with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), who without adequate guidance and support from […]

Catherine Murphy TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, has called on the Minister for Education to deal with serious deficiencies in school transport services. Deputy Murphy said: “Following NPHET advice at the end of August, major shortcomings in the provision of school bus services have arisen as measures to ensure social distancing are phased in […]