News

The Children’s Rights Alliance Report Card makes clear that students and their families are still facing excessive pressure and insufficient supports, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins TD. Deputy Cummins said: “The Report Card highlights ongoing concerns around school completion, pointing to the continued delay in publishing the Review of Out-of-School Education Provision, […]

Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne will introduce a bill tomorrow (Wednesday, March 25) to give people a constitutional right to housing. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “I am introducing my bill at a time when evictions and homelessness are at record levels. There is no mention of a right to housing […]

Today’s dismal report card from the Children’s Right’s Alliance is an indictment of this government and reflects its failures during its first year, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “Last year, the government scored one ‘A’ grade and four ‘B’ grades, while this year it achieved no ‘A’ grades and […]

There are vulnerable people, all over the country, who cannot now afford to turn the heating on The government’s energy support package does not sufficiently target supports to those who need it most and effectively abandons those low-income households who are reliant on home heating oil, according to Social Democrats deputy leader and finance spokesperson […]

The government is using its own ineptitude as an excuse for its failure to roll out comprehensive targeted supports  Social Democrats deputy leader and finance spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan has expressed deep concern that the government response to the energy crisis is going to be wholly inadequate. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “It has taken this government nearly […]

Figures released today by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) again point to Irish consumers being ripped off by energy companies, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s energy spokesperson, said: “The CSO published this morning that wholesale electricity prices last month were 23.3% lower than February 2025, and 14.9% […]

The government has doubled down on the deeply unfair decision to reintroduce State examination fees , according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “Emails issued to school principals directing them to send information regarding the collection of fees to parents demonstrate a refusal by government to listen to the concerns of […]

Social Democrats social protection spokesperson Eoin Hayes has written to the Tánaiste, urging him to include an emergency payment for people with disabilities in the package of cost-of-living measures that will be announced by the government tomorrow. Deputy Hayes said: “As the US and Israel’s attacks on Iran and Lebanon continue, surging gas and oil […]

It is unconscionable that sick, elderly and disabled people in a retirement village in Sligo have been issued eviction notices, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “In November, the tenants of six of the houses in Sonas Retirement Village in Enniscrone were told by their landlord, Nasso BK Holdings Ltd, […]

Daffodil Day is an opportune time put a spotlight on Ireland’s cancer care services, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice made his comments as the Irish Cancer Society’s biggest annual fundraiser got under way across the country today. He said: “Huge progress has been made in cancer treatment in recent decades, […]