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Children’s Minister must explain debacle with Ukrainian refugees in Kerry

There appears to be chaos in Minister O’Gorman’s Department The Children’s Minister must explain why 135 Ukrainian refugees were put through the anxiety and stress of being told their lives were being uprooted – only for the decision to be reversed at the last moment, according to Social Democrats Children’s Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “A group […]

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Whitmore calls for 62,000 holiday homes to be excluded from energy supports

Funds should be targeted at those most vulnerable to energy inflation  Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has called for holiday homes to be excluded from the Government’s universal electricity credits. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s Energy spokesperson, also criticised the lack of targeting in the Electricity Costs (Domestic Electricity Accounts) Emergency Measures and Miscellaneous […]

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Eirgrid Report Reveals The Risk of Blackouts This Winter Has Increased

This government has serious questions to answer about their mismanagement of the grid Ireland’s power supply crisis is much worse than previously thought meaning the risk of blackouts and brownouts this winter has increased, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore was commenting after the publication of Eirgrid’s Generation Capacity Statement today. […]

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Retrofitting funding meaningless if targets continue to be missed

Grandiose announcements and spin from the Government simply won’t cut it Extra funding in the budget for retrofitting and energy schemes will be meaningless if the Government continues to miss its own completion targets, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Climate and Biodiversity, said: “There is […]

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Significant investment in solar energy needed in Budget 2023

Social Democrats propose ambitious solar panel programme for 100,000 homes The Government needs to urgently ramp-up investment in solar energy in next week’s budget, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore, the party’s spokesperson on Climate and Biodiversity. Speaking after the launch of the Social Democrats’ alternative budget, Deputy Whitmore said: “Budget 2023 must have […]

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Corrib gas field profits underscore need for windfall tax

Immoral to allow energy companies profit off the backs of consumers Exorbitant profits being generated by the Corrib gas field further underscore the urgent need for a windfall tax on energy companies, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Climate and Biodiversity, said: “It has emerged that […]

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Minimum pay rates for childcare workers should be seen as a floor, not a ceiling

The introduction of minimum rates of pay for Early Years workers is a welcome first step in improving employment conditions within the childcare sector, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, the party’s spokesperson on Children and Youth Affairs, said: “I welcome confirmation from the Minister for Children that the first-ever Employment Regulation […]

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Climate Minister Has No Plan To Prevent Blackouts This Winter

Consumers and businesses need a credible plan to keep the lights on this winter Climate Minister Eamon Ryan’s strategy to prevent blackouts this winter amounts to nothing more than a wing and a prayer, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “At a time when the Commission for Energy Regulation (CRU) has warned that […]

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Ministers Asleep At The Wheel During Energy Security Crisis

This level of denial and myopia at cabinet is deeply concerning Ministers who claim to be “livid” or “astounded” at Ireland’s worsening electricity security crisis have been asleep at the wheel, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “The Business Post has reported that ministers are “livid” and “astounded” that Ireland is facing into […]

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Consumers Must Not Bear The Cost Of Electricity Supply Crisis

The blame falls squarely at the feet of a government that rolled out the red carpet for data centres Ordinary consumers should not bear the financial cost of the government’s failure to ensure the country has a sufficient supply of electricity, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “The government has been trying to […]

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