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Department of Education not fit to oversee School Transport Scheme

Government responsibility for the School Transport Scheme should be transferred out of the Department of Education and put under the remit of the Department of Transport, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on transport, said: “The start of the new term has yet again been marked by […]

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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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Minister must listen to concerns of childcare sector on core funding model

Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly has called on the Minister for Children to address concerns within the childcare sector relating to the core funding model. Deputy Farrelly, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, was commenting on reports today that a childcare provider had withdrawn a number of its Dublin-based services from the government’s funding […]

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Tusla cannot continue to operate in crisis mode

Tusla urgently needs an independent capacity review and a full workforce planning assessment, according to Social Democrats’ children and equality spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. In response to a Freedom of Information release of an internal Tusla report – indicating that thousands of days have been missed by care staff due to violent incidents and illness – […]

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Government must take responsibility for historical abuse in schools

The government must adhere to the primacy of the O’Keefe judgement and establish a fair redress scheme for the survivors of historical abuse in schools, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “I fully recognise how important redress is for survivors as a measure of accountability for what they experienced as […]

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On its 10-year anniversary, Tusla needs complete overhaul

Tusla is no longer fit for purpose and needs root-and-branch reform, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “Year after year, government after government, Tusla has never been empowered to cope with the demand for child protection and welfare referrals. This negligence is a government choice. “Annual referrals have more than […]

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Damning Barnardo’s report shows government policy is failing children on every front

No child should have to live in a home that’s forced to cut back on meals while supermarkets are raking in massive profits, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Speaking on today’s Barnardos report, Deputy Farrelly said: “The details of today’s damning Barnardos report are shocking but not surprising. Huge increases in grocery […]

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