News

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 […]

The Minister for Justice’s comments today that he would feel safe walking around Dublin at any time of the day or night show how far removed he is from the reality of life in our capital city, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who represents Dublin Central and is the party’s justice spokesperson, […]

Bus Éireann and the Department of Education must immediately outline how many pupils will be affected by the last-minute cancellation of bus services due to operate next week under the School Transport Scheme, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on transport, said: “With only days to go […]

The Israeli government’s intention to expand illegal settlements in the West Bank underscores the importance of Ireland enacting the Occupied Territories Bill (OTB) without further delay, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “The approval of the E1 project, which would bisect the occupied West Bank and cut it off […]

The accommodation crisis is placing an intolerable financial burden on students and preventing full immersion in college life, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins, who is the party’s spokesperson on further and higher education, said: “For so many students due to receive their Leaving Certificate results this week, the joy of securing […]

Figures obtained by Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide show that the process of transferring younger people out of inappropriate nursing home settings remains frustratingly slow. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s spokesperson on disability, said: “Four years after the publication of the Ombudsman’s ‘Wasted Lives’ report, the HSE has confirmed to me that there are […]

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 […]

Lack of workforce planning and the HSE’s failure to initiate a comprehensive recruitment drive is exacerbating 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: “This government continues to be in denial about the scale […]