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Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice has welcomed today’s publication of a report into Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) processes but has warned that its recommendations will fall short of addressing shortcomings in the nursing homes sector. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s health spokesperson, said: “While publication of this report is welcome, it barely […]

Personal possession of drugs for one’s own use should cease to be treated as a criminal matter and should instead be met with a health-led approach, according to Social Democrats justice spokesperson Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is Chair of the Oireachtas Drugs Committee, said: “The Committee recommends the repeal of section 3 of the […]

Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice has expressed support for the Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus Paediatric Advocacy Group and the Scoliosis Advocacy Network after both organisations pulled out of a scoping exercise for a Tribunal of Inquiry into Children’s Health Ireland (CHI). Deputy Rice, who chairs the Oireachtas Health Committee, said: “Families deserve the truth […]

Instead of adopting a head-in-the-sand approach, and dodging questions in the Dáil, the Taoiseach needs to get a grip on this Neither the Taoiseach nor the Health Minister appear to be aware of major breaches of the public-only consultant contract in hospitals across the country, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice […]

Not only does this raise questions for Revenue about the taxation of these gifts, it also raises further serious questions for the Master of the Rotunda Representatives of the Rotunda hospital should return to the Oireachtas Health Committee to answer questions about the gifting of fees to consultants to deliver babies, according to Social Democrats […]

News that two consultants are seeking to carry out private practice in newly established public surgical hubs further emphasises the need to remove all private healthcare from public facilities, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice said: “New surgical hubs are being established across the country to reduce waiting lists, enabling the […]

There cannot be one rule for the Rotunda and one rule for every other public hospital The Health Minister must hold firm and ensure the Rotunda agrees to abide by State policy before sitting down to a meeting with its representatives, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is chair of […]

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has said opposition to her abortion law reform legislation, from the Health Minister and Sinn Féin, is shocking and disappointing. Deputy Cairns said: “There are clear gaps in the abortion law that was introduced following the Repeal referendum which are having a negative impact on women. “That is not my […]

It is concerning that Ireland has failed to make progress on LGBTQIA+ rights, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s health spokesperson, said: “Today ILGA Europe published its annual Rainbow Map, which ranks European countries in terms of LGBTQIA+ human rights and policy protections. Ireland is once again ranked […]

The Minister for Health has buried her head in the sand and allowed the crisis in the National Ambulance Service (NAS) to worsen on her watch, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s health spokesperson, said: “The Minister for Health should have intervened to avert today’s work-to-rule, but instead […]