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 […]

The government must clarify what the pause in proposed SNA cuts means for families and school staff around the country, according to Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide said: “This afternoon, the government backtracked on planned cuts to Special Needs Assistants in schools across the country after ferocious pressure from the public. “SNAs support […]

The continued placement of younger disabled people in nursing homes represents a serious human rights failure and shows that the State has moved far too slowly to implement the recommendations of the Ombudsman’s ‘Wasted Lives’ report, according to Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s disability spokesperson, made his comments after […]

Social Democrats mental health and disability spokesperson Liam Quaide has challenged Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill for refusing to commit to baseline staffing targets and recruitment within primary care services for young people. Deputy Quaide, who brought to light the extent of waiting-lists across disciplines and health regions through a series of parliamentary questions, […]

The Dáil will today debate a Social Democrats’ motion calling on the government to introduce an emergency winter payment of €400 for disabled people within a month. Eoin Hayes TD, who is the party’s spokesperson on social protection, said: “Not only did Budget 2026 fail to include a cost of disability payment, it left disabled […]

Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide has criticised the HSE after the Minister for Mental Health was unable to provide the Dáil with information on approved psychology posts in older adult mental health services. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s spokesperson on mental health, said: “Minister Mary Butler’s failure to answer a straightforward question about workforce […]

The Social Democrats today called on the government to immediately introduce an emergency winter payment of €400 for people with disabilities. The call was made at briefing in Leinster House this morning, which was attended by representatives from the Disability Federation of Ireland, Access for All Ireland, and the Irish Wheelchair Association. Speaking at the […]

The government’s latest promise to introduce a cost of disability payment next year must be more than just another vague commitment or delaying tactic, according to Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s spokesperson on disability, said: “The latest commitment on this issue from Disability Minister Emer Higgins must be followed […]

Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide has expressed grave concern following the findings of an investigation into Bloomfield Hospital in south Dublin, which details serious incidents of mistreatment and abuse of residents. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s spokesperson on mental health, said: “The findings contained in this report are deeply disturbing. Evidence that residents were […]

Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide has welcomed the publication of the Mental Health Commission’s 2024 report on the use of restrictive practices in approved mental health centres, noting the significant reductions in physical and mechanical restraint and in the use of seclusion. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s spokesperson on mental health, said: “The report […]