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Last-minute cancellation of school bus services completely unacceptable

Bus Éireann and the Department of Education must immediately outline how many pupils will be affected by the last-minute cancellation of bus services due to operate next week under the School Transport Scheme, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on transport, said: “With only days to go […]

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Israel’s plan to ‘erase’ Palestine highlights urgent need for Ireland to pass Occupied Territories Bill

The Israeli government’s intention to expand illegal settlements in the West Bank underscores the importance of Ireland enacting the Occupied Territories Bill (OTB) without further delay, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “The approval of the E1 project, which would bisect the occupied West Bank and cut it off […]

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Student accommodation crisis is preventing full immersion in college life

The accommodation crisis is placing an intolerable financial burden on students and preventing full immersion in college life, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins, who is the party’s spokesperson on further and higher education, said: “For so many students due to receive their Leaving Certificate results this week, the joy of securing […]

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Government’s painfully slow progress transferring younger people with disabilities out of nursing homes is indefensible

Figures obtained by Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide show that the process of transferring younger people out of inappropriate nursing home settings remains frustratingly slow. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s spokesperson on disability, said: “Four years after the publication of the Ombudsman’s ‘Wasted Lives’ report, the HSE has confirmed to me that there are […]

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Family of Harvey Morrison Sherratt deserve urgent answers from government

The full multidisciplinary report on the timeline of care provided to Harvey Morrison Sherratt must be completed and provided to his family as a matter of urgency, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Speaking ahead of next weekend’s demonstration march in Dublin in memory of the nine-year-old, who had spina bifida and scoliosis […]

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Government continues to be in denial about scale of crisis in primary care services for young people

Lack of workforce planning and the HSE’s failure to initiate a comprehensive recruitment drive is exacerbating 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: “This government continues to be in denial about the scale […]

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Exclusion of school secretaries and caretakers from pension scheme is unjustifiable

Leaving school secretaries and caretakers out of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme is blatantly unfair, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “School secretaries and caretakers are just as important to schools as teachers and principals – without them, our education system would not be able to function. “Secretaries and […]

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Hands-off approach from government allowing hate to fester

The government turning a blind to an increase in hate crimes has normalised these heinous actions in the eyes of their perpetrators, according to Social Democrats justice spokesperson Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon said: “This rise in racially motivated attacks must not just be condemned in the strongest terms possible – it must be tackled head-on […]

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Student accommodation market has turned toxic on all fronts

The student accommodation sector is in need of urgent reform, with students undergoing disproportionate hardship just to find somewhere to live, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “Student accommodation has gotten so expensive that some colleges’ student unions, such as UCD’s, have felt compelled to start a food bank for […]

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