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The government decision to end a payment for healthcare workers with debilitating Long Covid is an abandonment of staff who gave their all during the height of the pandemic, according to Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide, who previously worked as a clinical psychologist with Long Covid services. Deputy Quaide said: “159 healthcare workers with Long […]

The government must reflect on the use of biometric facial scans by State bodies following the €550,000 fine handed down to the Department of Social Protection by the Data Protection Commission (DPC), according to Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s spokesperson on social protection, said: “It has today been confirmed […]

Government proposals could undermine children’s disability assessments and result in the misdiagnosis of their conditions, Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide has warned. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s spokesperson on disability, said: “When recently pressed on the crisis in disability services, the Taoiseach’s main proposal was a change in legislation to reduce the length of […]

Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide has expressed concern after the Department of Education Inspectorate found issues with almost all admission policies used by a selection of mainstream schools to determine entry to additional needs classes. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s spokesperson on disability, said: “There are clear issues highlighted in this review – which […]

It is extremely concerning that the author of the Grace report failed to include any reference to legal submissions filed by Grace’s legal team in her final report, according to Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s disability spokesperson, said: “Grace’s whole life has been marked by failure by the State […]

Those presenting to emergency departments with mental health issues, including children, are left waiting for their conditions to deteriorate, according to Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide, who’s the party’s mental health spokesperson, said: “Today’s Mental Health Commission report highlights a broken system of emergency mental health care for our most distressed service-users. “Successive […]

The failure to proceed to phase two of the Farrelly Commission investigation into the ‘Grace’ case, which would examine allegations of abuse of other residents in her foster family, cannot be defended and must be examined in Oireachtas hearings, according to Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s disability spokesperson, said: […]

“The ‘Sharing the Vision Implementation Plan’ is heavy on aspiration but thin on clear, concrete resource allocations, according to Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide, the party’s Mental Health spokesperson, said: “The plan’s emphasis on trauma-informed service delivery is positive but there is no detail provided on what this means in practice, or any […]

The government’s half-hearted approach to creating adequate school places in Cork for children with special needs is an insult to the families breaking their backs to ensure their kids receive an education, according to the Social Democrats. Deputy Pádraig Rice, who is a TD for Cork South-Central, said: “Shamefully, it is estimated there are around […]

The Government must urgently address the failings in the homelessness system highlighted in a joint report launched today by Depaul and Mental Health Ireland, according to Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s spokesperson on mental health, said: “The report, entitled ‘Breaking the Cycle: Addressing Mental Health and Homelessness Through Integrated […]