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My experience as a youth worker tells me that young people engaged in criminal behaviour often don’t choose it Social Democrats children’s spokesperson Aidan Farrelly has strongly criticised the government following the publication of a Probation Service report that confirms there has been a 10 percent increase in child referrals to the service. Deputy Farrelly […]

Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly has called on the Minister for Children to address concerns within the childcare sector relating to the core funding model. Deputy Farrelly, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, was commenting on reports today that a childcare provider had withdrawn a number of its Dublin-based services from the government’s funding […]

Tusla urgently needs an independent capacity review and a full workforce planning assessment, according to Social Democrats’ children and equality spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. In response to a Freedom of Information release of an internal Tusla report – indicating that thousands of days have been missed by care staff due to violent incidents and illness – […]

16 and 17 year-olds must be allowed to have their say in decisions which will shape their future, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly, who was speaking after the UK decision to reduce the voting age in their elections. Deputy Farrelly said: “In the next UK election, young people in Strabane will be […]

The commencement of excavation work today at the site of the former mother and baby home in Tuam represents an important milestone in the long campaign for truth and justice, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “Today marks a significant step towards restoring the dignity […]

Tusla is no longer fit for purpose and needs root-and-branch reform, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “Year after year, government after government, Tusla has never been empowered to cope with the demand for child protection and welfare referrals. This negligence is a government choice. “Annual referrals have more than […]

No child should have to live in a home that’s forced to cut back on meals while supermarkets are raking in massive profits, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Speaking on today’s Barnardos report, Deputy Farrelly said: “The details of today’s damning Barnardos report are shocking but not surprising. Huge increases in grocery […]

Uisce Éireann is flailing aimlessly in the face of its own crippled infrastructure, which could lead to disastrous consequences, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly, who sits on the Public Accounts Committee. Deputy Farrelly said: “I’ve written to all members of PAC to secure an agreement to invite Uisce Éireann to appear before the […]

A plan must be rapidly put in place to support up to 195 staff facing mandatory redundancy from their jobs at the Intel plant in Leixlip, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly, who represents the Kildare North constituency. Deputy Farrelly said: “Section 12 of the Protection of Employment Act 1977 provides that an employer […]

The coalition parties’ election promise of a €200 per month cap on childcare fees is looking hollower each passing day as discord spreads between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, according to Social Democrats children’s spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “Families are paying an average of €190 a week for childcare while rival government children’s […]