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It is concerning that Ireland has failed to make progress on LGBTQIA+ rights, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s health spokesperson, said: “Today ILGA Europe published its annual Rainbow Map, which ranks European countries in terms of LGBTQIA+ human rights and policy protections. Ireland is once again ranked […]

The Minister for Health has buried her head in the sand and allowed the crisis in the National Ambulance Service (NAS) to worsen on her watch, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s health spokesperson, said: “The Minister for Health should have intervened to avert today’s work-to-rule, but instead […]

Responding to news that the HSE is implementing a pause on the recruitment of non-frontline roles in some regions due to overspends, Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice has called on the Minister for Health to implement the Programme for Government commitment to a multi-annual approach to health funding. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s health […]

Sexual health services are being starved of funding and resources while the Minister for Health continues to pay lip service to HIV prevention, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s health spokesperson, said: “At today’s Health Committee meeting on sexual health services, we heard that while the HSE and […]

The Minister for Health must initiate High Court action against BAM, the only option remaining to her, to compel the delivery of the National Children’s Hospital, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who chairs the Oireachtas Health Committee, said: “Today was the day that the hospital should have been handed over, […]

Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice has called on the Minister for Health to introduce a rolling replacement programme for radiation therapy machines. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s health spokesperson, said: “At today’s Health Committee, we heard from the Irish Cancer Society and the Irish Society of Radiation Oncology about the indisputable need for a […]

For too long, sexual health services have been treated as little more than an afterthought by the State, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is the Chair of the Oireachtas Health Committee, said: “A new Sexual Health Strategy was published last year, three years after the previous one expired, but […]

Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice has called on the Minister for Health to act swiftly on the recommendations of the Report on Dental Services in the Healthcare System, which is being launched by the Oireachtas Health Committee today. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s health spokesperson and chair of the Health Committee, said: “It is […]

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 […]

An elective-only hospital in Galway could potentially deliver 175,000 additional procedures and consultations a year, a public meeting organised by the Social Democrats in Knocknacarra heard this week. The meeting on Galway’s healthcare crisis, held in Knocknacarra Community Centre, was hosted by Míde Nic Fhionnlaoich, the Social Democrats’ Galway West by-election candidate. Guest speakers on […]