News

The government has agreed to provide supports for a group of men and women who partook in a hunger strike for 51 days, but the State must never put abuse survivors through such an ordeal again, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “I am deeply relieved to hear that the […]

Fully updated waiting list and recruitment figures must be provided by the HSE ahead of a joint meeting of the Oireachtas Disability Matters and Health Committees to address the crisis in primary care services for young people, according to Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s spokesperson on mental health and disability, said: “There […]

The Dáil will debate a Social Democrats’ Bill on Thursday calling for a legislative pathway towards reducing the voting age from 18 to 16 years. Deputy Aidan Farrelly, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “My Forty-first Amendment of the Constitution (Reduction of Voting Age to Sixteen Years) Bill 2025 is an important piece […]

Despite report after report painting a dire picture of conditions in our care system, the Minister for Children has repeatedly failed to take action, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “The severe shortage of special care unit beds is putting the lives of children in danger, and has been for […]

The government’s ongoing efforts to persuade the European Commissioner for the Environment to extend Ireland’s derogation from the Nitrates Directive has been described as grossly irresponsible and hypocritical by Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s environment spokesperson, said: “Along with members of the Environment, Housing and Agricultural Committees, I attended […]

Expanding prison capacity will not fix systemic failures in Ireland’s justice system, according to Social Democrats justice spokesperson Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon said: “In 2024, there was a 55% increase in deaths in Irish prisons – this is not a crisis we can build our way out of. “In their annual report, the Inspector of […]

A deaf ear is being turned by the government to those suffering from the plight of homelessness, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “The homelessness crisis is undeniable – my office receives a vast volume of representation requests every day from people who are in or at immediate risk of […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has criticised the government’s failure to direct the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) to investigate suspected price gouging by energy companies. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s energy spokesperson, said: “This government continues to sit on its hands as households across the country are crushed by some of the […]

The government’s action plan to promote collective bargaining lacks the ambition to provide a level playing field for workers, according to Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney, who is the party’s spokesperson on employment, said: “A review of our collective bargaining laws and many other action points in the plan are welcome. However, it […]

The Minister for Housing’s plan to allow private developers directly deliver wastewater infrastructure would amount to an abdication of responsibility by the government, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “I have serious concerns about this proposal, which would see Uisce Éireann facilitate the development of […]