News

The continued placement of younger disabled people in nursing homes represents a serious human rights failure and shows that the State has moved far too slowly to implement the recommendations of the Ombudsman’s ‘Wasted Lives’ report, according to Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s disability spokesperson, made his comments after […]

The latest ‘Locked Out of the Market’ report published by the Simon Communities of Ireland shows that current policy is failing our communities, according to Social Democrats candidate for Galway West Míde Nic Fhionnlaoich Míde said: “It is terrifying that, as of the end of December, no properties were available under Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) thresholds […]

The government should adopt a Social Democrats’ proposal for a State savings scheme that would help finance the delivery of social and affordable homes, according to the party’s housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “On RTÉ’s ‘This Week’ programme yesterday, the Tánaiste revealed that the government is drawing up a strategy to help savers […]

Reports this morning that people awaiting deportation are now being arrested and detained in already dangerously overcrowded Irish prisons are deeply disturbing, according to Social Democrats justice spokesperson Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon said: “This is the direct and predictable result of a Justice Minister who has profoundly neglected and mismanaged both our prison system and […]

The government must not proceed with any plan to cut Special Needs Assistant support across the country, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins TD. Deputy Cummins, who has been meeting with teachers, school leaders, SNAs and parents on special education, said: “The proposed cuts are wholly premature; many new special classes, which will […]

The thousands of peaceful protestors arrested and charged for supporting Palestine Action must have their names cleared after the group’s victory in the High Court, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson Senator Stephenson said: “Palestine Action should never have been proscribed as a terrorist group in the first place – the court’s […]

Social Democrats mental health and disability spokesperson Liam Quaide has challenged Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill for refusing to commit to baseline staffing targets and recruitment within primary care services for young people. Deputy Quaide, who brought to light the extent of waiting-lists across disciplines and health regions through a series of parliamentary questions, […]

UEFA must read the room and ban Israel from taking part in its competitions, according to Social Democrats sports spokesperson Sinéad Gibney and foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Deputy Gibney said: “Our national team players, elite athletes at the pinnacle of their career, have been put in a very difficult position after they were drawn […]

The lack of progress on the Events Centre is indicative of the Government’s attitude towards Cork, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who represents Cork South-Central, said: “Today marks 10 years since the sod was turned on the Cork Event Centre project – this sad anniversary can’t go unacknowledged, so together with […]

The government must increase Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) rates on an emergency basis to avoid a tsunami of homelessness, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “The latest ‘Locked Out of the Market’ report from the Simon Communities of Ireland will come as a further blow […]