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Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has criticised the Minister for Children’s response to the recent High Court ruling in relation to two institutions wrongly excluded from the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme. Deputy Cairns said: “The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme has been needlessly discriminatory since its inception, with 24,000 people excluded from […]

The government’s proposed changes to the Assessment of Need (AON) process — currently going through pre-legislative scrutiny in the Oireachtas — is essentially cover for years of service development failure, according to Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s spokesperson on disability and mental health, said: “Pre-legislative scrutiny with service providers, […]

Previous contractual commitments given to newly qualified paramedics must be honoured, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, the party’s health spokesperson, made his comments after raising the issue in the Dáil today. He said: “For the first time, newly qualified paramedics will not be offered permanent contracts. Instead, this cohort of graduates […]

The emergence of leaked video footage today makes a nonsense of claims by the Minister for Housing that eviction notices issued to tenants in 36 properties in Wexford last week were not related to the government’s new rent regulations, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “In the leaked video, the landlord’s […]

The government must introduce a targeted €400 energy credit to help people who are struggling with soaring energy prices, according to Social Democrats Finance Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “The war in the Middle East is now in its sixth day and the price of oil and gas is continuing to skyrocket. The average […]

Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins has called on the Department of Education to provide urgent clarity to schools, families and staff on the long-awaited SNA workforce development plan, warning that continued delays are creating ongoing uncertainty. Deputy Cummins, who is the party’s education spokesperson, said: “At the Oireachtas Education Committee today, I called on the […]

The Minister for Housing’s planned attendance at a major international property event in France next week – aimed at wooing more investor funds to Ireland – has been branded an absolute disgrace by Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “It has been reported today that property developers […]

It is scandalous that Irish citizens stuck in a war zone are being charged €800 by their own government so they can get home safely, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “The government’s Scrooge-like response to this emergency has been shameful. After announcing that charter flights were being arranged […]

Ireland must rally behind Spain after the US threatened to cease all trade with the country, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “Spain’s barring of the US military from using its bases to stage its war against Iran is the right action to take to comply with international law. […]

The rising age profile of first-time buyers will have massive societal implications for Ireland, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “While we’ve known for some time that the age of first-time buyers has been steadily rising, Cairn Homes – the country’s largest homebuilders – has […]