News

The government’s decision to renege on promises to roll out a public model of childcare is shortsighted and lacking in ambition, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “I’m deeply disappointed that there’s been no mention of the provision of public childcare in the Minister for Children’s action plan for the sector. […]

The CORU regulation process for counselling and psychotherapy must be immediately paused as it weakens professional standards and protections for the public, according to Social Democrats mental health spokesperson Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide said: “CORU, the State’s health regulator, has adopted a position that is entirely at odds with the main representative groups for counselling […]

Government decisions are a core barrier to the development of the infrastructure essential for housing provision, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “The Government is trying to ignore that it has been decades of underinvestment, poor delivery, management and planning by successive Fianna Fail and Fine Gael governments that has […]

The publication today of the Accelerating Infrastructure report is overshadowed by the government’s decision to postpone delivery of DART+ South West and the Luas extension to Finglas, according to Social Democrats Finance, Public Expenditure and Infrastructure spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “At today’s launch of Accelerating Infrastructure, bold claims were made by the Taoiseach, […]

To date, the state has shown no concrete intention of adequately funding the recommendations of the Dublin City Taskforce, a status quo which must now end, according to Social Democrats justice spokesperson Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who represents Dublin Central, said: “Fine Gael’s sudden interest in city regeneration in the run up to the 2024 […]

Today’s WRC ruling gives hope to many workers in the media sector who have long been denied their rights, but they shouldn’t have to battle this out in the courts, according to Social Democrats employment and media spokesperson Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney said: “We cannot avert our eyes to the glaring issues of bogus self-employment […]

The government’s shambolic approach to public procurement, which haemorrhages billions from the state’s coffers, should be investigated by the Public Accounts Committee, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly, who sits on PAC. Deputy Farrelly said: “It’s all well and good for the Public Expenditure Minister to slap his colleagues’ wrists for wasting public money […]

The latest price hikes announced by waste provider Panda have been described as completely unjustified and unacceptable by Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate and biodiversity, said: “According to reports today, thousands of Panda’s domestic customers in parts of Dublin are set to be hit with price […]