News

The Government’s new maximum fee cap for childcare services operating under the core funding model is a derisory reduction that will make little difference to hard-pressed families, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “Under the new maximum fee cap announced today by Children’s Minister […]

Today’s revelation that Irish Rail has written down the value of a new IT system by €50 million is further proof that the State is unable to effectively manage projects of this nature, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly, who sits on the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), said: “The Irish Times reported […]

20% of the 1,778 complaints to the Ombudsman for Children’s Office last year concerned Tusla, further proving the need for an independent review into its standards, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “One in five complaints to the Ombudsman for Children’s Office concerned Tusla in 2025. This is indicative of […]

Hiring security guards to make up the numbers in special care units is grossly inappropriate and leaves children at risk, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “Hiring security guards to plaster over staff shortages in Tusla’s most secure units will degrade standards of care for our most vulnerable children. “The […]

Raising the betting tax to fund sports and culture initiatives would break down barriers to participation in our most vulnerable communities, according to Social Democrats Dublin Central byelection candidate Councillor Daniel Ennis, and the party’s children’s spokesperson, Aidan Farrelly TD. Speaking at the launch of the party’s sports and culture policy, Councillor Ennis said: “Sport […]

An unending string of damning reports has made it impossible to have full and unreserved trust in Tusla, and action must be taken to take children out of harm’s way, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “Today’s report from the Health Information and Quality Authority, which found that children were […]

The Taoiseach does not believe that Tusla should be subject to an independent review as he believes it will paralyse the organisation, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “The volume of social workers in Tusla who have gotten in touch and expressed their concern about recently undertaken reforms is a […]

The Government must take political responsibility and oversight of Uisce Éireann following more unplanned outages throughout the country, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly, who sits on the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee (PAC), said: “Outages in Kildare, Dublin, Cork, Tipperary and Wexford following a dry spell in recent days came only weeks […]

Forged references provided for staff at unregulated children’s care homes are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the potential harm of Special Emergency Arrangements, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “It’s time to call a halt on these shambolic, unregulated and frankly dangerous substitutes for State […]

Every level of the early years sector, including the Federation of Early Childhood Providers and Childhood Services Ireland, must come to the table and attend important pay talks for early years educators, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “The ongoing recruitment and retention crisis in early years education and childcare […]