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The government must provide clarity on its plan to reduce childcare costs to €200 a month, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly, the party’s spokesperson for children, said: “The government has promised to reduce childcare costs to €200 a month – but it is nowhere near meeting this commitment. “Many families are […]

The government should not take advice from tax-exile billionaires when considering the rights of workers, according to Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney, who’s the party’s employment spokesperson, said: “Billionaire Denis O’Brien, who was found by a tribunal to have given corrupt payments to Michael Lowry, has a problem with rights for ordinary workers. […]

Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne has welcomed a U-turn by Housing Minister James Browne following his initial refusal to meet Dublin City Council to discuss the tenant-in-situ scheme – but has now called on him to extend this engagement to all local authorities. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “It is regrettable […]

Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne has criticised Housing Minister James Browne’s failure to meet with Dublin City Council to discuss the tenant-in-situ scheme. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “Dublin’s Lord Mayor has written to the Minister three times to request a meeting to discuss the tenant-in-situ scheme. The only engagement from […]

The government must urgently publish its audit into those children wronged by unnecessary hip surgeries, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who’s the party’s health spokesperson, said: “I first raised the issue of children enduring unnecessary hip surgeries with Taoiseach Micheál Martin back in March.  “Nearly two months later we are still […]

The government must clarify if planned restrictions on short-term lets will apply to towns located in Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) where populations are under the 10,000 threshold provided for in the new regulations, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s spokesperson on housing, said: “Under the Short-Term Letting and […]

The development of the new National Maternity Hospital must not be hindered by the same mistakes which have delayed the opening of the New Children’s Hospital, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who’s the party’s health spokesperson, said: “The National Maternity Hospital cannot become another runaway train – its development has been […]

The sky-high cost of new homes on the former Irish Glass Bottle site in Poolbeg, Dublin 4, will make it difficult, if not impossible, for agreement to be reached on the provision of affordable homes in the scheme, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “It […]

What does it say about our goal to progress women’s sports when we stumble at the simplest  barriers? Cancelling the Munster Camogie final a mere 16 hours before the match shows an appalling lack of respect for players, according to Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney. “It’s an insult to these women. The players, the management […]

Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide has expressed concern after the Department of Education Inspectorate found issues with almost all admission policies used by a selection of mainstream schools to determine entry to additional needs classes. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s spokesperson on disability, said: “There are clear issues highlighted in this review – which […]