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Fundamental problems with how the School Transport Scheme operates must be resolved before eligibility is expanded, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “I welcome plans due to come before Cabinet today to reduce the pick-up radius to 2km for both primary and secondary school […]

The Children’s Rights Alliance Report Card 2024 shows that the State is failing to deliver on key child welfare commitments contained in the Programme for Government, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “The report card, published today, offers a bleak assessment of the Government’s […]

The planned expansion of the School Transport Scheme must be rolled out in tandem with a major overhaul of the system, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “According to reports over the weekend, Minister for Education Norma Foley is working on an expansion of […]

The Department of Education’s failure to plan for population growth and local demand has resulted in a deepening secondary school enrolment crisis for parents and students, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s children’s spokesperson, said: “The shortage of second level places is a major issue in my Wicklow […]

The Government’s solar panel programme for schools is not nearly ambitious enough and falls well short of the rooftop revolution promised by the Minister for Energy, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on energy, was responding to reports that a school in Co. Clare has become the […]

Figures published today show that the Government is failing to get to grips with rising child poverty levels, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “The 2023 State of the Nation’s Children (SONC) report paints a bleak picture of child poverty in Ireland and shows […]

The Government’s approach to immigration is in a state of chaos and disarray, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “In recent days and weeks, we have seen U-turn after U-turn by the Government in its efforts to house migrants seeking asylum. “We are now […]

The latest price cuts announced by Electric Ireland today should not distract from the fact that energy costs for consumers are not coming down quickly enough, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s energy spokesperson, said: “After an initial reduction was passed on to customers last November, a second […]

The agreement reached at COP28 is wholly inadequate and leaves the world on a collision course with catastrophic climate breakdown, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate and biodiversity, said: “While the consensus reached at the summit in Dubai has been described as historic by Environment […]

Environment Minister Eamon Ryan has accepted an offer from Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore to pair for tomorrow’s no confidence Dáil vote, meaning he will now not have to return home from COP28 in Dubai. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate and biodiversity, said: “I am deeply concerned at some of the […]