News

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 results of today’s Global Youth Participation Index show conditions are ripe for the introduction of a reduced voting age, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “Ireland has ranked 18th out of over 140 countries worldwide in terms of youth participation in political, economic and civic life – those aged […]

While a targeted second child welfare payment would be effective in reducing child poverty, it’s of paramount importance that its implementation is subject to in-depth planning, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “I was struck to hear yesterday that the Taoiseach is not ruling out a two-tier child benefit system […]

Children are being failed by the government’s inability to tackle inter-generational poverty, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “The latest Child Poverty Monitor report published by the Children’s Rights Alliance is deeply concerning. It confirms that the number of children in consistent poverty in […]

Serious concerns about the oversight of NTPF funding must be addressed  The executive team of the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) must urgently appear before the Public Accounts Committee to answer questions about governance and oversight arrangements at the body, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly. “The budget of the NTPF has increased exponentially […]

The government must stop breaking the law when it comes to protecting vulnerable children and act on the latest report recommending reform of the care system, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly, who’s the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “An external review of special care commissioned by Tusla has found that the […]

Today, Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly will introduce the Reduction of the Voting Age to Sixteen Years Bill 2025, to provide for a legislative pathway for the reduction of the age at which a person may vote from 18 to 16 years of age in Ireland. Deputy Farrelly, who’s the party’s spokesperson for children, equality […]

OPW Minister Kevin Boxer Moran must clarify comments he made today which failed to distance Castletown House community groups from illegal activity, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly, who represents Kildare North, said: “In an interview on Morning Ireland today, the Minister was asked for an update about his engagement with community […]

The absence of spending safeguards identified in an audit into the Leinster House bike shed controversy must never be repeated, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly, who sits on the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), said: “It is shocking, but not surprising, that the audit published today by Deloitte confirms there was no […]

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 […]