News

The government’s decision to renege on promises to roll out a public model of childcare is shortsighted and lacking in ambition, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “I’m deeply disappointed that there’s been no mention of the provision of public childcare in the Minister for Children’s action plan for the sector. […]

The government’s delayed childcare plan must contain a clear timeline for reducing monthly fees to €200 and begin the process of establishing a public early years model, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly, who is the party’s children’s spokesperson, said: “Prior to last year’s general election, Simon Harris promised to publish a […]

Today’s report from the Health Information and Quality Authority lays bare Tusla’s inability to deliver on its mission to protect vulnerable children and young people, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “When children are telling inspectors that their life has gotten worse since coming into care, you have to question […]

Online games and platforms marketed towards children which do not uphold child protection standards must be blocked until they can demonstrate compliance, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “A senior garda from the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau has warned that children are being groomed and exploited on online gaming […]

More and more families are unable to afford afterschool activities for their children due to skyrocketing costs, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “Low-income families are overburdened by being shut out of unaffordable afterschool pursuits for their children, which for many serve as essential childcare – these families are often […]

A lack of resources in Tusla is continuing to endanger children, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “The new HIQA report is yet another alarm bell that is loudly ringing about inadequate services at Tusla posing risks to children. “It has revealed that it took the agency more than six […]

The Dáil will debate a Social Democrats’ Bill on Thursday calling for a legislative pathway towards reducing the voting age from 18 to 16 years. Deputy Aidan Farrelly, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “My Forty-first Amendment of the Constitution (Reduction of Voting Age to Sixteen Years) Bill 2025 is an important piece […]

Despite report after report painting a dire picture of conditions in our care system, the Minister for Children has repeatedly failed to take action, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “The severe shortage of special care unit beds is putting the lives of children in danger, and has been for […]

TUSLA has been told on countless occasions that Special Emergency Arrangements for unaccompanied children are inappropriate and present serious risks, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “My thoughts are with the family of Vadym Davydenko, the Ukrainian teenager who died tragically in Donaghmede on Wednesday. A Garda investigation is now […]

Today’s budget will be met with bitter disappointment by parents due to the absence of measures to bring down the cost of childcare, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “Despite Tánaiste Simon Harris expressing support for a public model of childcare before last year’s […]