News

Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide has welcomed the publication of the Mental Health Commission’s 2024 report on the use of restrictive practices in approved mental health centres, noting the significant reductions in physical and mechanical restraint and in the use of seclusion. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s spokesperson on mental health, said: “The report […]

The CORU regulation process for counselling and psychotherapy must be immediately paused as it weakens professional standards and protections for the public, according to Social Democrats mental health spokesperson Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide said: “CORU, the State’s health regulator, has adopted a position that is entirely at odds with the main representative groups for counselling […]

Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide, the party’s spokesperson on mental health and disability, has cautiously welcomed proposals by the HSE for a new 75-bed acute mental health service on the St Stephen’s Hospital campus in Glanmire. Deputy Quaide, who worked as a clinical psychologist in the North Cork mental health services from 2013 to 2021, […]

Disabled people will experience increased hardship this winter because of the government’s failure to introduce a weekly cost of disability payment and other targeted supports in the budget, according to Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide. Speaking on International Day of Disabled Persons, Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s spokesperson on disability, said: “Next Tuesday, the […]

Fully updated waiting list and recruitment figures must be provided by the HSE ahead of a joint meeting of the Oireachtas Disability Matters and Health Committees to address the crisis in primary care services for young people, according to Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s spokesperson on mental health and disability, said: “There […]

People with disabilities and their families have been failed by Budget 2026, according to Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s spokesperson on disability, said: “It has long been recognised that having a disability comes with significant additional financial pressures, including the costs of therapies, equipment and transport. Despite repeated calls […]

The Dáil will debate a Social Democrats’ motion on Wednesday (October 1) calling for the abolition of the means test for Carer’s Allowance in next week’s Budget. Liam Quaide TD, who is the party’ spokesperson on social protection, said: “Pre-budget kite-flying by the government over the weekend suggests there will be modest increases in income […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore is to seek answers about the major fish kill in Cork’s Blackwater River when the incident comes under the scrutiny of tomorrow’s Oireachtas Climate Committee. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s environment spokesperson, said: “Today I met with anglers near Mallow, who have many unanswered questions about this devastating incident, […]

The findings of a report on the treatment of disability and carer’s benefit applicants are a damning indictment of a system that routinely fails the very people it’s supposed to support, according to Social Democrats social protection spokesperson Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide said: “According to the Citizens Information Board (CIB) report, people applying for disability […]

The government’s newly launched Disability Strategy 2025-20230 is full of aspirational language but lacks funding commitments or implementation details, according to Social Democrats disability spokesperson Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide said: “For a sector that is so deep in crisis, across all areas – be it educational placements, access to therapies or residential services – a […]