News

It is extremely concerning that the author of the Grace report failed to include any reference to legal submissions filed by Grace’s legal team in her final report, according to Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s disability spokesperson, said: “Grace’s whole life has been marked by failure by the State […]

The failure to proceed to phase two of the Farrelly Commission investigation into the ‘Grace’ case, which would examine allegations of abuse of other residents in her foster family, cannot be defended and must be examined in Oireachtas hearings, according to Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s disability spokesperson, said: […]

It is shameful that disabled people continue to be at such a huge risk of living in poverty, according to Social Democrats Spokesperson for Disability Liam Quaide. “New research from the ESRI has today painted a stark picture of the huge financial pressures faced by disabled people. “Not only are they at a greatly increased […]

The government must agree a clear pathway to restoring pay parity for Section 39 workers in community and voluntary organisations, according to Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s acting spokesperson on disability, said: “With up to 5,000 Section 39 workers expected to vote in favour of strike action, some of […]

The Soc Dems have made the appointment of a senior minister for disability a dealbreaker for government formation talks Disabled people, their families and workers in the sector have all been failed by the outgoing government, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. “A woman who met Simon Harris on the campaign trail was upset […]

The Social Democrats today announced details of a multi-billion-euro disability plan that the party would implement in government. The policy was launched by Sinéad Gibney, the Social Democrats general election candidate in Dublin Rathdown. The document sets out how the party would additionally spend an average of €1.1 billion per year, between 2026 and 2030, […]

Confirmation that the optional protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities will come into force in Ireland on November 30, while very welcome news, should not distract from the Government’s indefensible delay in ratifying it, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. “Ireland signed the UNCRPD as far back as […]

The Social Democrats today outlined some of the key measures they would implement in government, including the appointment of a senior Disability Minister, as the party launched its disability policy. The policy was launched by Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns and Susan Doyle, a solicitor, disability rights advocate and general election candidate for the party […]

The Social Democrats will insist on a full Minister for Disability as a precondition for their participation in any future Government after the general election, according to party leader Holly Cairns. “We clearly need a senior Minister for Disability so the interests of disabled people in Ireland are represented at the Cabinet table. This will […]

Disability services were shamefully neglected by the Government in Budget 2025, according to a breakdown of figures provided to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. Deputy Cairns, who is the party’s spokesperson on disability, said: “Every year we go through the same farce of this Government announcing a high-level figure for investment in disability services. This […]