News

The Government must commit to a full process of transparency when it comes to historical child abuse, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “Yesterday, the Dáil heard how a letter of confession written in 1970 by former Christian Brother Seán Drummond – who molested 18 boys in a Limerick school […]

It was disgraceful that we were allowing such dangerous facilities to be used for the care of some of our most vulnerable children The ending of the use of Special Emergency Arrangements by Tusla, which were totally unregulated and unsuitable for vulnerable children, has been welcomed by Social Democrats children’s spokesperson Daniel Ennis. Deputy Ennis […]

The plight of children living in emergency accommodation highlights the importance of incorporating the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child into Irish law, according to Social Democrats TD Daniel Ennis. Deputy Ennis, who is a TD for Dublin Central and the party’s spokesperson on children, made his comments after attending his first meeting […]

At least 24 per cent of children with disabilities in State accommodation are living more than 50km from their home – a situation that amounts to a form of enforced separation from family and community life, according to Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s spokesperson on disability, said: “The figures […]

The Government has displayed a staggering lack of empathy by refusing to commit to redress for 19 women who were subjected to horrific sexual abuse while pupils at Dunderrow National School in Cork, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “These women are rightly seeking redress for what was done to […]

A new report from Barnardos provides further evidence of the need for targeted energy and cost-of-living supports for vulnerable households, according to Social Democrats TD Daniel Ennis. Deputy Ennis, who is the party’s new spokesperson on children, said: “This report confirms what we have known for some time – that too many families in Ireland […]

In response to a parliamentary question, the Minister for Children has said there is no plan to conduct a review of Tusla, despite recent reports that the agency is failing to report cases of alleged child abuse to the Gardaí, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “I wrote to the […]

Government plans to introduce a social media ban for under-16s could potentially drive children to more unregulated and dangerous corners of the internet, according to Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney, who is the party’s media spokesperson, said: “It is deeply frustrating to see this continued tunnel vision from the Government who seem intent […]

The Minister for Children must commission an independent review of Tusla after it was found that suspected cases of child abuse were not referred to Gardaí for over three months, and in some cases not referred at all, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “How many damning reports is it […]

The latest child poverty figures will be a stain on this Government’s term in office unless meaningful measures are introduced to tackle income inequality, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “The 2026 Child Poverty Monitor, published by the Children’s Rights Alliance, is a shameful […]