News

The government will have another opportunity to stop the Central Bank facilitating the sale of Israeli war bonds after the Social Democrats announced plans to use its Dáil time to bring forward a cross-party motion on the issue, according to Social Democrats acting leader Cian O’Callaghan. “Last week, while decrying the situation in Gaza as […]

This week’s deportation of children, who were deeply embedded in their local community, lacked sensitivity and compassion, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins, who represents Dublin South-Central and is the party’s spokesperson on education, said: “This operation, which saw five children included on a chartered deportation flight from Dublin, was cruel and […]

Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne has accused the government of spending more on homeless emergency accommodation than preventative measures. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “Just days after 15,580 people were confirmed as homeless – another grim milestone – details of the financial cost of providing emergency accommodation have emerged in the […]

The shocking treatment and neglect of elderly residents in two private nursing homes, as highlighted by RTÉ Investigates tonight, must be a catalyst for change, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice said: “It was difficult at times to watch the harrowing footage broadcast this evening. Such appalling breaches are the result […]

At an international housing event today, Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne repeated his call on the government to retain rent caps, Deputy Hearne made his comments at the International Union of Tenants’ forum in the Conference Centre, Dublin, which will see more than 2,000 people taking part in the International Social Housing Festival. He said: […]

Today’s confirmation from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that Ireland is not prepared for the potentially catastrophic impact of climate change is extremely concerning, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate, said: “The findings of the first-ever National Climate Change Risk Assessment confirm our worst fears […]

The government must not repeat the same failed approach to the expansion of the prison system by treating rehabilitation as an afterthought, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s spokesperson on justice, said: “With a record number of people in prisons and sleeping on floors, it’s clear that our […]

Serious concerns about the oversight of NTPF funding must be addressed  The executive team of the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) must urgently appear before the Public Accounts Committee to answer questions about governance and oversight arrangements at the body, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly. “The budget of the NTPF has increased exponentially […]

Government proposals could undermine children’s disability assessments and result in the misdiagnosis of their conditions, Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide has warned. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s spokesperson on disability, said: “When recently pressed on the crisis in disability services, the Taoiseach’s main proposal was a change in legislation to reduce the length of […]

Every child deserves not just a school place – but an appropriate place that will help them to reach their full potential  The Education Minister must urgently clarify if she is plans to redesignate special schools which cater to children who have mild general learning disabilities, according to Social Democrats Education Spokesperson Jen Cummins. “Due […]