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Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide has criticised the HSE after the Minister for Mental Health was unable to provide the Dáil with information on approved psychology posts in older adult mental health services. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s spokesperson on mental health, said: “Minister Mary Butler’s failure to answer a straightforward question about workforce […]

The government’s failure to explicitly rule out the prospect of Ireland joining President Trump’s sinister Board of Peace is difficult to comprehend, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “Donald Trump’s Board of Peace was initially billed as a body that would oversee governance and reconstruction in Gaza – even […]

Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins has accused the government of failing to deliver the Hot School Meals Programme in a way that is fair, sustainable and genuinely centred on children’s nutritional needs. Deputy Cummins, who is the party’s spokesperson on education, made her comments after the issue was raised today at the joint Oireachtas Committee […]

Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice has welcomed the Minister for Justice’s confirmation that he will bring forward legislation to disregard convictions for consensual same sex activity, before it was decriminalised in 1993. Deputy Rice said: “Last July, on behalf of the Social Democrats, I co-signed a joint opposition Bill to disregard these historic convictions. That […]

Multiple HR and ICT deficiencies identified during a Medical Council inspection of CHI sites underpin the need for the new National Children’s Hospital to open without further delay, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice said: “Today’s report highlights a number of concerning issues at CHI hospitals, where creaking ICT systems were […]

The Minister for Children must appear before the Oireachtas Children’s Committee to outline how and when proposals for a public model of childcare will be achieved, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “Yesterday’s announcement of the government’s plan to provide a public childcare system omitted any and all detail of […]

Figures released today by the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP) further highlight the government’s failure to get to grips with the cost-of-living crisis, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s energy spokesperson, said: “Households around the country continue to struggle under the weight of soaring energy bills […]

It is deeply disturbing that a garda investigation was carried out into the source of reports in the Irish Times concerning the case of a serving member of the force charged with domestic violence against his ex-wife, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s spokesperson on justice, said: “Last […]

Social Democrats food spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore will today introduce the Agri-Food Regulator (Amendment) Bill 2026, which would grant the AgriFood regulator greater powers to investigate price gouging. Speaking ahead of its introduction, Deputy Whitmore said: “Families around the country are enduring an immense struggle just to put food on the table, with prices for staples […]

It’s imperative that Minister for Children Norma Foley presents her department’s rough plan for the rollout of public, not-for-profit childcare to the Oireachtas Childrens Committee for scrutiny and input from the sector’s experts, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “I commend the Minister for this potentially monumental policy shift towards […]