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Social Democrats health spokesperson Róisín Shortall has welcomed the Taoiseach’s response to her in the Dáil that there will be a three-month extension of a temporary payment scheme for healthcare workers suffering from long Covid. “It is simply unconscionable that this cohort of workers, who have been unable to resume their employment due to ongoing Covid symptoms, were […]

The sale of the Beacon Hospital in south Dublin represents a missed opportunity for the Government to deliver on a key Sláintecare commitment, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “It emerged this week that a deal has been reached to sell the Beacon Hospital to the asset management wing of the Australian owned […]

The final cost of delivering the new National Children’s Hospital is likely to exceed the €2.24 billion projected by the Government and may not be known for years, according to Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy. Deputy Murphy, who is vice-chair of the Public Accounts Committee, said: “Confirmation from the Minister for Health today that the […]

The Government continues to be in denial about the impact of health service underfunding on patient care, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “Reports in the media today of Paschal Donohoe’s trenchant criticisms of financial management at the Health Department and the HSE are further evidence that the Government deliberately underfunded the health service […]

The Government must commit to implementing in full the recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Drug Use, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. “I have long held the view that criminalising addiction is not the way forward. I therefore welcome the assembly members’ majority vote in favour of a comprehensive health-led response to personal […]

Social Democrats health spokesperson Róisín Shortall has called on the Minister for Public Expenditure, Paschal Donohoe, to take questions in the Dáil this week and explain why there is a €2 billion hole in the health service budget for 2024. “Minister Donohoe must come into the Dáil this week and explain why this Government continues […]

The Government’s failure to avert tomorrow’s strike action by Section 39 workers will heap further pressure on threadbare services for the elderly and people with disabilities, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. Deputy Cairns, who is the party’s spokesperson on disability, said: “There was an expectation that last week’s Budget would allocate funding to […]

The HSE’s latest recruitment freeze is a short-sighted decision that will directly impact patient care, according to Social Democrats Health Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “By OECD standards, Ireland ranks only about halfway in terms of health funding. In this week’s Budget, the Government were throwing around money like it was going out of fashion. At the […]

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has spoken out in support of Section 39 workers in community and voluntary sector organisations who are to commence indefinite strike action from Tuesday, October 17. Deputy Cairns, who is the party’s spokesperson on disability, said: “The organisations at the centre of the dispute are funded by the Health Service […]

It is extraordinary that the Health Minister has opted to remain overseas while this crisis is escalating Social Democrats Health Spokesperson Róisín Shortall has written to the Health Committee requesting that representatives of Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) and the HSE attend an emergency meeting of the Committee tomorrow. Deputy Shortall said: “Health Minister Stephen Donnelly […]