News

Catherine Murphy TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, has welcomed confirmation that localised restrictions in Kildare have been lifted but called on the Taoiseach to visit the county to hear first-hand what further financial supports will be required for impacted businesses. Deputy Murphy, who represents Kildare North, said: “Following advice from NPHET this morning, the […]

Holly Cairns TD, Social Democrats spokesperson on Further and Higher Education, has called on the Government to fund a reduction in third level registration fees in light of the emerging shift to online lectures for the upcoming term. Holly said: “I strongly support the Union of Students in Ireland’s call for a minimum €500 reduction […]

The allocation of ringfenced funding for the implementation of Sláintecare is key to the delivery of free GP care for children, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Children, said: “It is understandable that the planned extension of free GP care for children aged between 6 and […]

The second phase of unpaid parental leave brought in by the Social Democrats Parental Leave (Amendment) Act 2019 comes into effect next Tuesday, 1st September 2020. Four additional weeks of unpaid leave is available to parents, following on from the four weeks that became available last September, bringing the amount of unpaid parental leave available to […]

Social Democrats spokesperson for Agriculture, Holly Cairns TD, and the party’s spokesperson for Climate Action and Environment, Jennifer Whitmore TD, believe that the Government’s new Forestry Bill is significantly flawed and in direct contravention of EU Directives and the Aarhus Convention which protect people’s rights to appeal decisions in environmental planning. Deputy Whitmore and Deputy […]

Following publication of the July figures of the number of people who are homeless, Cian O’Callaghan TD, Social Democrats spokesperson on Housing, said: “The increase in the number of people who are becoming homeless is inexcusable. Since the outbreak of Covid-19, significant progress was made in reducing the number of people who are homeless. “It […]

Jennifer Whitmore TD, Social Democrats spokesperson for Children, has called on the Government to fast-track Covid testing for childcare staff. Deputy Whitmore said: “I welcome confirmation from the Department of Health that the testing of school children and staff for Covid-19 is to be fast-tracked to enable results within 24 to 48 hours. “However, this same […]

Holly Cairns TD, Social Democrats spokesperson for Further and Higher Education, has called for measures to support students seeking accommodation who have less protections than other renters. Holly said: “Students and their families are facing an incredibly hard year with uncertainty about how teaching and learning will be delivered in colleges. This means students are […]

Jennifer Whitmore TD, Social Democrats spokesperson on Children, said that the Government must try to ensure that they communicate public health information for the childcare sector in a way that does not appear to contradict HSE guidelines. Deputy Whitmore said: “I welcome the HSE’s latest guidelines for parents as children begin to return to childcare […]

Social Democrats TD for Cork South-West, Holly Cairns, is seeking immediate action and greater consultation with communities after successive flood events in the past two weeks. Holly said: “We’re now in our third week of flooding in West Cork. Towns and communities, including Bandon, Skibbereen and Bantry, have been affected by floods recently. “This situation […]