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Social Democrats TD Eoin Hayes has criticised the Minister for Social Protection’s refusal today to withdraw insulting remarks he made during a recent Dáil debate on poverty levels being experienced by disabled people. Deputy Hayes, who is the party’s spokesperson on social protection, said: “Minister Dara Calleary claims he is engaging with Disabled Persons’ Organisations […]

The government’s blind trust in the idea that the market will deliver adequate housing for Ireland has led to its failure to provide for those in need of a home, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “Today’s report by Property Industry Ireland shows that the government has bought into the […]

The controversy over SNA allocations has descended further into farce, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins, with the Department of Public Expenditure admitting to an Oireachtas committee today that it has no idea where the government’s promised additional €19 million in funding will come from. Deputy Cummins, who is the party’s education spokesperson, said: […]

Our national broadcaster must stand up and lead the way by not broadcasting fixtures against Israel which are due to take place this year, according to Social Democrats sports spokesperson Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney said: “I’ve written to RTÉ to ask that the planned Irish National Men’s Team fixtures in the Nations League versus Israel […]

The State apology given by the Taoiseach today to those who suffered abuse in industrial and reformatory schools, while welcome, will be meaningless if the government fails to honour its commitment to provide additional supports for survivors, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins, who is the party’s education spokesperson, said: “It is […]

The government cannot continue to sit on the fence when it comes to reforming and expanding GP care in Ireland, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice made his comments after today’s Dáil debate on a Social Democrats’ motion aimed at solving the GP crisis. He said: “While the government did not […]

Institutional landlords and developers are celebrating the government’s upcoming changes to rental laws which throw renters under the bus to increase corporate profits, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “IRES Reit, the State’s largest landlord, has said the quiet part out loud: that the government’s new rental rules, which will […]

Extortionate GP fees for menopause specific appointments are acting as a barrier to women seeking access to the government’s free HRT scheme, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “In Ireland, 51 per cent of the population will go through menopause during their lives. While some women can get by without treatment, […]

IRES Reit hoovering up a large apartment development in Kildare shows government policy continues to prioritise corporate landlords over those struggling to rent or desperate to buy a home, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “IRES Reit’s move to buy up 77 residential apartments in a development in Naas for […]

Figures released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) provide further proof that consumers in Ireland are being ripped off by energy companies, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s energy spokesperson, said: “The game is finally up for opportunistic energy companies, with the CSO confirming that wholesale electricity prices […]