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The Minister for Education must explain why a number of children in Finglas are receiving just two hours of school time a day in a community hall because of a delay in delivering two special classes, according to Social Democrats TDs Rory Hearne and Jen Cummins. Deputy Hearne, who represents Dublin North-West, said: “I have […]

New figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show that residential property prices have continued to spiral out of control under this government, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “According to figures released today by the CSO, property prices increased by 7 per cent in […]

Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly has written to Minister for Children Norma Foley asking to immediately defer the Committee stage consideration of the Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2025, as the government’s own amendments will not be ready in time to be debated. Deputy Farrelly said: “TD’s are elected, first and foremost, to legislate. How […]

Micheál Martin must clarify if he formally invited US President Donald Trump to Ireland for a State visit later this year, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “In the Oval Office yesterday, US President Donald Trump said Micheál Martin had told him he hoped that he came to Ireland […]

The government must legislate against the out-of-control number of AirBnBs and vacant homes across Ireland, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “Today, we’ve heard two interconnected stories which highlight the utter disaster of the housing crisis and the failure of government housing policy. “Threshold has shown that more than 8,600 […]

There must be greater targeted investment in schools and communities in disadvantaged areas following new research highlighting inequalities in Leaving Certificate outcomes, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins TD. Deputy Cummins said: “The ESRI’s findings reinforce the need to strengthen supports for students and families living in lower socio-economic areas; that investment must […]

A collapse in commencements in 2025 is hugely concerning and means the government has no hope of meeting its housing targets, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “A new report from Irish banks, which shows housing commencements declined by more than 75% in 2025, is deeply concerning. “In some areas, […]

The government should be using this week to put a plan in place, for a suite of measures, that can be deployed next week when the Dáil is sitting The government’s hands-off approach to the energy crisis is reckless and dangerous, according to Social Democrats energy spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “An unprecedented 400 […]

The decision to reintroduce state exam fees, which would heap further pressure on families already struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, must be reversed, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “The decision to bring back fees for students sitting the Junior and Leaving certificates sends the wrong signal to families who […]

The use of Special Emergency Arrangements (SEAs) as settings for vulnerable children to be housed must be brought to an end, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “The number of children in Special Emergency Arrangements has almost doubled in the past two years “Despite criticism from several judges and advocacy […]