News

An unending string of damning reports has made it impossible to have full and unreserved trust in Tusla, and action must be taken to take children out of harm’s way, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “Today’s report from the Health Information and Quality Authority, which found that children were […]

The Taoiseach does not believe that Tusla should be subject to an independent review as he believes it will paralyse the organisation, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “The volume of social workers in Tusla who have gotten in touch and expressed their concern about recently undertaken reforms is a […]

Forged references provided for staff at unregulated children’s care homes are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the potential harm of Special Emergency Arrangements, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “It’s time to call a halt on these shambolic, unregulated and frankly dangerous substitutes for State […]

Every level of the early years sector, including the Federation of Early Childhood Providers and Childhood Services Ireland, must come to the table and attend important pay talks for early years educators, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “The ongoing recruitment and retention crisis in early years education and childcare […]

Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice has welcomed that Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) and Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) have finally been added to the National Newborn Bloodspot Screening, commonly known as the heel prick test. Deputy Rice, who chairs the Oireachtas Health Committee, said: “This is an incredibly important milestone for families impacted by SCID […]

Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice has today renewed his call on the Minister for Health to consider taking legal action against BAM to push the troubled National Children’s Hospital project over the line. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s health spokesperson, said: “At today’s Health Committee, it was confirmed that the 18th substantial completion deadline […]

The Children’s Rights Alliance Report Card makes clear that students and their families are still facing excessive pressure and insufficient supports, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins TD. Deputy Cummins said: “The Report Card highlights ongoing concerns around school completion, pointing to the continued delay in publishing the Review of Out-of-School Education Provision, […]

Today’s dismal report card from the Children’s Right’s Alliance is an indictment of this government and reflects its failures during its first year, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “Last year, the government scored one ‘A’ grade and four ‘B’ grades, while this year it achieved no ‘A’ grades and […]

Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly has written to Minister for Children Norma Foley asking to immediately defer the Committee stage consideration of the Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2025, as the government’s own amendments will not be ready in time to be debated. Deputy Farrelly said: “TD’s are elected, first and foremost, to legislate. How […]

The use of Special Emergency Arrangements (SEAs) as settings for vulnerable children to be housed must be brought to an end, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “The number of children in Special Emergency Arrangements has almost doubled in the past two years “Despite criticism from several judges and advocacy […]