News

Rory Hearne has been selected by the Social Democrats as the party’s general election candidate in Dublin North-West, a constituency where Róisín Shortall has held a Dáil seat since 1992. The well-known housing expert and campaigner, author and lecturer was officially confirmed as a candidate at a selection convention this evening (July 25) in the […]

The €6.9bn in additional expenditure outlined in today’s Summer Economic Statement must be underpinned by proper workforce planning for future needs, according to Social Democrats finance spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “Problems highlighted in the Summer Economic Statement are mostly the result of consistent failures by Government to invest in critical infrastructure and lack of planning for […]

The Minister for Health must come into the Dáil and answer questions as to why €19m in funding specifically allocated to reduce waiting times for children’s spinal surgery was spent elsewhere, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “This latest controversy is a further betrayal of children awaiting scoliosis surgery. “In 2017, then Minister […]

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has paid tribute to former Social Democrats co-leaders Catherine Murphy and Róisín Shortall after they announced they will not contest the forthcoming general election. The former co-leaders made the announcement this morning saying it was time for a new generation to take over. Catherine Murphy said: “I love my job […]

Today I am announcing my decision to step down as a TD at the next election. I believe that now is a good time and the right time for me to do so. I have been a TD for Dublin North-West for almost 32 years and am very proud to have had the opportunity to […]

Chronic underfunding of the National Cancer Strategy is compromising patient care, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “It is clear that implementation of the National Cancer Strategy is no longer a priority for this Government. “When the Irish Cancer Society appeared before the Health Committee in April, their message was received loud and […]

The medical card scheme for dental treatments in Ireland is close to collapse, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “Figures reported today reveal there are 252 fewer dentists signed up to the Dental Treatment Service Scheme (DTSS) compared to last year. There are also major disparities in the number of participating dentists depending […]

Social Democrats health spokesperson Róisín Shortall has again questioned why a model three hospital for the mid-west region is only being considered now. “At today’s Oireachtas Public Petitions Committee, I asked the Minister for Health why it has taken him four years to consider a model three hospital for the UL Hospital Group. “Every other […]

A Social Democrats’ motion highlighting the deepening crisis in dental care in Ireland will be debated in the Dáil on Wednesday (May 22). Róisín Shortall TD, the party’s health spokesperson, said: “Dental care continues to be one of the most neglected areas of our health service. “The school screening programme is of particular concern. Children […]

The HSE’s recruitment freeze is preventing the recruitment of funded specialist nursing posts, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “In a reply to a parliamentary question I submitted, it was confirmed that 13 specialist nursing posts in neurological services remain unfilled. Even though funding for these positions was provided in Budget 2022, the […]