News

Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins has said the Labour Court must now intervene in the strike by school secretaries and caretakers. Deputy Cummins said: “School secretaries and caretakers are the backbone of our school communities. They are essential to the proper running of schools all across the country. “For decades, these professionals have provided […]

This kind of treatment of a peaceful protestor is horrific and completely unacceptable Tánaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Harris must raise the brutal treatment of a peaceful Irish protestor by German police with the German ambassador, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “A shocking video, circulating on social […]

More EU member states must join growing calls for economic sanctions against Israel for its war crimes in Gaza and plans for further illegal settlements in the West Bank, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson made her comments after it was confirmed this week that Sweden and the Netherlands have […]

Confirmation today that there are now more than 5,000 children living in homeless emergency accommodation is a national scandal and a dark day for Ireland, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “Today’s figures show there were 16,058 people living in homeless emergency accommodation at the end […]

Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins has expressed solidarity with the school secretaries and caretakers commencing indefinite strike action today. Speaking ahead of a protest rally at the Department of Public Expenditure in Dublin, Deputy Cummins said: “As students return to the classroom this week, it is unacceptable that the dedicated secretaries and caretakers who […]

Nicotine pouches should be viewed as a gateway to lifelong nicotine dependency The government’s failure to regulate the sale of nicotine pouches poses an ongoing threat to children’s health and wellbeing, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. “Today, the Irish Cancer society has highlighted that popular festivals – like Electric Picnic – are partnering with […]

The student accommodation crisis is undermining the academic potential and personal development of an entire generation, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins, who is the party’s spokesperson on further and higher education, said: “At this time in their lives, students should be focused on their studies, building friendships, and experiencing everything that […]

Government responsibility for the School Transport Scheme should be transferred out of the Department of Education and put under the remit of the Department of Transport, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on transport, said: “The start of the new term has yet again been marked by […]

Fine Gael must accept responsibility for promised childcare facilities in new housing developments which failed to materialise, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “An analysis published today by the Irish Times highlights that some buildings earmarked as creches are lying empty or are being […]

The latest rent figures published today show that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael housing policy failures have resulted in a social and economic disaster, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “According to the latest analysis by daft.ie, the average open market rent nationwide is now over […]