News

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has expressed frustration at the Minister for Children’s refusal to commit to a physical survey and possible excavation of the Bessborough mother and baby home grounds in Cork. “This is the possible burial place of hundreds of unaccounted for children who died at this notorious institution, which operated as a […]

The Social Democrats have launched their Alternative Budget 2025 – titled ‘Building Services, Building Communities’ – which focuses on investment in public services to drive down the cost of living, targets support at those who need it most and prioritises children and families. Investing in affordable housing; creating a public model of childcare; increasing parent’s […]

Welcoming An Bord Pleanála’s decision to refuse planning permission for an apartment scheme at the former Bessborough mother and baby home in Cork, Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has repeated her call for a sensitive excavation of the grounds of the estate, which is widely believed to be a children’s burial ground. “The latest refusal […]

It is shameful that 20 people under the age of 65 will remain in nursing homes this year due to a €5 million HSE funding shortfall, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. Deputy Cairns, who is the party’s spokesperson on disability, said: “In an update on his 2021 ‘Wasted Lives’ report, Ombudsman Ger Deering […]

A decision to reduce ambulance services in Cork and Kerry will put lives at risk, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. Deputy Cairns, who is a TD for Cork South-West, said: “Without any prior consultation with staff, senior management of the National Ambulance Service have announced their intention to reduce ambulance cover in Cork […]

Religious orders must be compelled to account for the litany of horrific sexual abuse carried out for decades in church-run schools, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. “The scale of the abuse outlined in senior counsel Mary O’Toole’s scoping inquiry report is staggering. It is another stark reminder of the devastating consequences of the […]

The Government’s failure to secure a financial contribution from religious orders towards the redress scheme for survivors of mother and baby homes has been strongly criticised by Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. “It is astonishing to learn that, to date, not one cent has been handed over by the church bodies complicit in the inhumane […]

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has backed calls for a new law that would suspend the parental rights of those found guilty of domestic homicide. Deputy Cairns made her comments after James Kilroy received a life sentence today for the brutal murder of his wife Valerie French in June 2019. “My deepest sympathies go to […]

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has expressed disappointment at the re-election of Ursula von der Leyen as President of the European Commission. “The outcome of today’s vote represents a missed opportunity by MEPs to restore some credibility to the EU, which has been badly damaged on the world stage by its callous indifference to the […]

The HSE must make a full statement following the resignation this week of two prominent campaigners from a national steering group tasked with improving children’s disability services, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. Deputy Cairns, who is the party’s spokesperson on disability, said: “It is deeply concerning to learn that two of the three […]