News

The government is making it up as it goes along when it comes to a review of SNA allocations, according to Social Democrats spokesperson for children Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “The government created utter turmoil for families and schools this week with its botched SNA review, which was abruptly paused on Tuesday in response […]

Government plans to introduce age restrictions for under-16s on social media are well intentioned but will not work, according to Social Democrats TDs Sinéad Gibney and Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Gibney, who is the party’s media spokesperson, said: “This seems to be a case of the government wanting to be seen to be doing something but, […]

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 […]

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 […]

Today’s report by the Child Law Project lays bare the dangers faced by vulnerable children as a result of Tusla’s shortcomings, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “Today’s report shows the Child and Family Agency has continued to fail to comply with court orders relating to vulnerable children – recently, […]

The National Transport Authority (NTA) must explain how the construction of 14 steps and a ramp in a south Dublin park ended up costing more than €500,000 above the original estimate, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly, who sits on the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), said: “While the eventual bill of €750,000 […]

Tusla must confirm if it went ahead with a major reform programme despite serious concerns being raised by more than 100 senior staff, according to Social Democrats Children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “A letter sent to the Tusla CEO by principal social workers sets out a catalogue of serious concerns with a reform […]

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 government’s delayed childcare plan must contain a clear timeline for reducing monthly fees to €200 and begin the process of establishing a public early years model, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly, who is the party’s children’s spokesperson, said: “Prior to last year’s general election, Simon Harris promised to publish a […]

Today’s report from the Health Information and Quality Authority lays bare Tusla’s inability to deliver on its mission to protect vulnerable children and young people, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “When children are telling inspectors that their life has gotten worse since coming into care, you have to question […]