News

A fire safety report published by the Department of Housing today, arising from a rapid spread of fire in the Millfield Manor housing estate in March 2015, spectacularly fails to address the very serious risks faced in homes with fire safety defects, Social Democrats councillor Cian O’Callaghan said today. Councillor O’Callaghan said: “The publication today by […]

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD is calling for an open public debate on the National ID card issue, while voicing concerns that a mandatory identity system is being introduced by the back door. Deputy Shortall said: “The Minister for Social Protection Regina Doherty said today that using a Public Services Card is now mandatory […]

The Social Democrats are pleased to announce that Fingal County Councillor Paul Mulville has joined the party. Mr Mulville (34) has been a councillor representing the Swords local electoral area since he first ran in the last local election in 2014 on three broad themes of accountability, representation and community. Announcing the move, the party’s […]

Soaring rent costs and the chronic lack of rental properties around the country are putting enormous economic and emotional pressures on families and individuals, Social Democrats Councillor Gary Gannon said today. Reacting to today’s Daft.ie report, Cllr Gannon said: “Skyrocketing rents and the chronic shortage of rental accommodation around the country is having a massive […]

According to Social Democrats co-leader, Róisín Shortall TD, “today’s shocking hospital waiting lists of 687,000 people are a new record and represent a huge failing on the part of Government.  Providing a decent health service where people can get timely treatment, on the basis of need, is a basic requirement of any civilised country.  Yet […]

The HSE computer glitch which has potentially affected some 25,000 patients was an avoidable mistake that could have been caught earlier had the right systems been in place, the Social Democrats said today. Galway West candidate, Niall Ó Tuathail, who is a health reform adviser with the NHS, said: “This flaw was an avoidable mistake. […]

Following the hit success of The Darkside Detective, a game developed by a team working in their spare time between Galway and Dublin, the Social Democrats have called upon the government to support the games industry in a similar way to the Irish film industry which has been built into a global hub. Niall Ó […]

The General Election campaign of the Social Democrats’ candidate for Dublin Central, councillor Gary Gannon, will be launched at a public event tomorrow night [Thursday 3 August]. Broadcaster, fashion designer, and health campaigner Brendan Courtney will MC the event, which kicks off at 7.30p.m. in the Skylon Hotel in Drumcondra. The theme of Gary’s campaign is #We Are, and speakers will […]

The government’s abject failure to deliver so-called ‘rapid-build’ homes shows just how desperately we need a dedicated Housing Delivery Agency, Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy said today. Deputy Murphy said: “It’s farcical for the government to talk about ‘rapid-build’ homes when only 22 out of 1,500 pledged modular units have been completed so far. It’s […]

People seeking free legal advice are currently facing waiting times of up to 76 weeks for appointments at Legal Aid Board law centres, according to the latest figures released to the Social Democrats. The figures show that combined waiting times for first and second consultations at Legal Aid Board law centres on 1st July 2017 were […]