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Social Democrats TD and party spokesperson for Children, Jennifer Whitmore, has expressed concern that staff working in childcare, whose employers could be availing of the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS), are instead being forced to apply for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP). Deputy Whitmore said: “In a response to a parliamentary question, the Minister for Finance told me […]

Social Democrats TD for Wicklow and party spokesperson for Climate Action and Biodiversity, Jennifer Whitmore, has welcomed the announcement by Minister Ryan that increased funding will be granted to environmental NGOs. However, she says much more is required to adequately address the scale of climate change and biodiversity loss. Deputy Whitmore commented: “I am delighted […]

Speaking in the Dáil today in relation to the report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes, Social Democrats spokesperson for Children, Jennifer Whitmore TD, said: “The responsibility to redress the grievances of survivors now lies with the State. The process of redress, if done right, will take time to fully reconcile […]

Responding to the findings of a recent independent review of the Climate Change Advisory Council, Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore said: “The independent review found that the Climate Change Advisory Council has been reactive to Government policy rather than proactive; has too many heads of State agencies as members; and has not communicated well with […]

Social Democrats spokesperson for Children, Jennifer Whitmore TD, has welcomed the Citizens’ Assembly’s support for a publicly funded childcare model. Deputy Whitmore said: “The Social Democrats have been calling for a public model for some time. We need a new model of childcare which is responsive to the needs of families, workers and children. “Budget […]

– Government will be judged by its actions, not words. Jennifer Whitmore TD, Social Democrats spokesperson for Children, has said that the apology from the Taoiseach today, while necessary, is not enough and that the Government will be judged by its actions, not words. Deputy Whitmore commented: “The commission’s report – and the Government’s response to it […]

Welcoming the publication of the Commission of Investigation report into Mother and Baby Homes, Jennifer Whitmore TD, Social Democrats spokesperson for Children, said: “This is a difficult day and week for survivors and the Government must put their needs at the centre of everything they do. Their voices need to be listened to. In responding […]

Social Democrats TD for Wicklow, Jennifer Whitmore, has welcomed reports that Ireland will today join the High-Ambition Coalition for Nature and People (HAC), which is seeking to protect 30% of the world in the fight against species extinction. HAC is an intergovernmental ‘coalition of the willing’ for ambitious global conservation, founded by France and Costa […]

Social Democrats TD for Wicklow, Jennifer Whitmore, has called on the Government to follow Germany’s lead by signing up to the High-Ambition Coalition for Nature and People (HAC), which is seeking to protect 30% of the world in the fight against species extinction. HAC is an intergovernmental ‘coalition of the willing’ for ambitious global conservation, […]

– Need to establish how the leak occurred, according to Social Democrats spokesperson for Children The Social Democrats spokesperson for Children, Jennifer Whitmore TD, has reacted with concern to the publication of details of the commission’s report in the media today. Deputy Whitmore said: “It is extremely disappointing that the leak has occurred. Survivors were […]