News

The treatment of hundreds of children by North Kerry Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services exposed many young patients to unacceptable risk and reflects serious failures in oversight and clinical governance, according to Social Democrats mental health spokesperson Liam Quaide TD. Deputy Quaide said: “Of the 374 cases reviewed, the report identifies a risk of […]

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, […]

There has been an erosion of trust between the Department of Health and Children’s Health Ireland and the families affected by the spinal care scandal, who have been neglected throughout the review process, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is Chair of the Oireachtas health committee, said: “We’re told that […]

Multiple HR and ICT deficiencies identified during a Medical Council inspection of CHI sites underpin the need for the new National Children’s Hospital to open without further delay, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice said: “Today’s report highlights a number of concerning issues at CHI hospitals, where creaking ICT systems were […]

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 government is flailing around on the Grok AI scandal unable to get its story straight, according to Social Democrats media spokesperson Sinéad Gibney. “Last night, on Prime Time, AI Minister Niamh Smyth was clear that we have “very strong and robust” laws which criminalise the spread of non-consensual sexualised images of women and children, […]

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. […]