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Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice has welcomed the publication of the HSE’s review of insourcing and outsourcing in the health service. Deputy Rice, who is Chair of the Oireachtas Health Committee, said: “Ahead of this morning’s Health Committee sitting, the Minister for Health published the HSE’s review of insourcing and outsourcing, which identified serious […]

The Labour Court decision to extend a payment for healthcare workers with debilitating Long Covid until December 2025 is a welcome one, but more must be done, according to Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide, a former clinical psychologist with Long Covid services. Deputy Quaide said: “The government must recognise Long Covid as an occupational illness […]

It’s outrageous that the government is willing to sacrifice an essential public health measure to keep the alcohol industry happy, according to Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney said: “It is unacceptable that alcohol labelling has officially been put on the back burner – sacrificing public health measures in favour of appeasing the alcohol […]

The costly employment of agency staff across the health system, including in mental health services, reflects a deep failure in workforce planning by successive governments, according to Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s spokesperson on mental health and disability, said: “Figures released to me by the HSE showed that the […]

The long overdue publication of the new National Sexual Health Strategy 2025-2035, while welcome, contains some glaring gaps that the Minister must address, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s spokesperson on health, said: “The last strategy, which covered 2015-2020, was understandably extended until the end of 2022 as […]

Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice has described today’s responses from CHI at the Oireachtas Health Committee as deeply disappointing and completely inadequate. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s health spokesperson and chair of the Health Committee, said: “From what we heard this morning, it would seem that some in CHI still do not appreciate the […]

Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney has called on the government to come clean on whether it plans to defer the introduction of mandatory alcohol warning labels, which are due to come into effect in May 2026. Deputy Gibney, who is the party’s spokesperson on enterprise, said: “All the indications are that the government intends to […]

Today’s publication of a summary of findings and recommendations into a 2022 examination of a clinical department in Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) does not provide a level of detail sufficient to serve the public interest, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s spokesperson on health, said: “CHI’s internal review […]

The shocking treatment and neglect of elderly residents in two private nursing homes, as highlighted by RTÉ Investigates tonight, must be a catalyst for change, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice said: “It was difficult at times to watch the harrowing footage broadcast this evening. Such appalling breaches are the result […]

Serious concerns about the oversight of NTPF funding must be addressed  The executive team of the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) must urgently appear before the Public Accounts Committee to answer questions about governance and oversight arrangements at the body, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly. “The budget of the NTPF has increased exponentially […]