News

The Minister for Health must take some share of responsibility for the latest delay to the National Children’s Hospital, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s health spokesperson, said: “When questioned earlier today on when the new hospital would open, Minister Carroll Mac Neill flippantly suggested that people should […]

The full multidisciplinary report on the timeline of care provided to Harvey Morrison Sherratt must be completed and provided to his family as a matter of urgency, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Speaking ahead of next weekend’s demonstration march in Dublin in memory of the nine-year-old, who had spina bifida and scoliosis […]

Sláintecare must not be neglected in the revised National Development Plan (NDP), according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s health spokesperson, said: “Sláintecare cannot be allowed to become a sacrificial lamb in the revised NDP, due to be published next week. “While there should absolutely be a clear focus […]

The gaps in cancer care are a result of lessening government commitment to the National Cancer Strategy, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice said: “Today’s Irish Cancer Society report shows a postcode lottery exists for patients trying to access vital cancer care – receiving treatment for a serious illness should never […]

New HSE research showing that only 38 per cent of people in Ireland are aware of the link between alcohol and cancer highlights the need for the government to proceed with alcohol health warning labels, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s spokesperson on health, said: “This latest research […]

Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice has welcomed the publication of the HSE’s review of insourcing and outsourcing in the health service. Deputy Rice, who is Chair of the Oireachtas Health Committee, said: “Ahead of this morning’s Health Committee sitting, the Minister for Health published the HSE’s review of insourcing and outsourcing, which identified serious […]

It is now time for the State to right the wrongs of the past The government must urgently act to disregard historic convictions for consensual sexual activity between men, prior to decriminalisation of homosexuality in 1993, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. “It is now 32 years since homosexuality was decriminalised in Ireland – […]

This year, Pride marks the momentous 10th anniversary of the Marriage Equality Referendum, but also presents an opportunity to reflect on the status of LGBTQ+ rights, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice and Senator Patricia Stephenson. Deputy Rice said: “This weekend, tens of thousands of people will march through Dublin to mark Pride. While […]

The long overdue publication of the new National Sexual Health Strategy 2025-2035, while welcome, contains some glaring gaps that the Minister must address, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s spokesperson on health, said: “The last strategy, which covered 2015-2020, was understandably extended until the end of 2022 as […]

Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice has described today’s responses from CHI at the Oireachtas Health Committee as deeply disappointing and completely inadequate. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s health spokesperson and chair of the Health Committee, said: “From what we heard this morning, it would seem that some in CHI still do not appreciate the […]