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Budget’s failure to address childcare costs is shameful

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 […]

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Government response to shambolic anti-social behaviour motion shameful

Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly has today slammed the government’s latest response to juvenile anti-social behaviour. Deputy Farrelly said: “I am getting sick and tired of seeing politicians and commentators conflate anti-social behaviour and criminal activity. “Anti-social behaviour is defined as nuisance or disturbance, such as hanging around or making noise – things that […]

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Taoiseach must reverse decision to abandon two-tier child benefit and alleviate poverty

During questions on policy and legislation today, Taoiseach Micheál Martin failed to guarantee there will be effective anti-child poverty measures in the upcoming budget, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “We’ve got record levels of child poverty, record levels of child homelessness, and tens of thousands of children waiting on […]

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Budget must contain targeted measures to halt rising child poverty levels

Next month’s budget must include targeted measures to tackle deeply concerning child poverty levels, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “New research from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) shows that more than 225,000 children are now subject to income poverty, when housing […]

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Government must listen to the Ombudsman for Children’s recommendations in light of safeguarding failings

The State must recognise and act on the Ombudsman for Children’s call for the National Review Panel to be put on a statutory footing, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. The National Review Panel (NRP) investigates serious incidents including the deaths of children in care or known to the child protection system. Deputy […]

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Flawed FG planning policy has contributed to non-delivery of childcare facilities in new developments

Fine Gael must accept responsibility for promised childcare facilities in new housing developments which failed to materialise, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “An analysis published today by the Irish Times highlights that some buildings earmarked as creches are lying empty or are being […]

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Increase in teenage referrals to Probation Service a consequence of Government inaction

My experience as a youth worker tells me that young people engaged in criminal behaviour often don’t choose it Social Democrats children’s spokesperson Aidan Farrelly has strongly criticised the government following the publication of a Probation Service report that confirms there has been a 10 percent increase in child referrals to the service. Deputy Farrelly […]

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Increase in teenage referrals to Probation Service a consequence of Government inaction

My experience as a youth worker tells me that young people engaged in criminal behaviour often don’t choose it Social Democrats children’s spokesperson Aidan Farrelly has strongly criticised the government following the publication of a Probation Service report that confirms there has been a 10 percent increase in child referrals to the service. Deputy Farrelly […]

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