News

People cannot afford to pay for this Government’s haphazard handling of the cost-of-living crisis, according to Social Democrats finance spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “Figures released today by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show there is no end in sight to the skyrocketing cost-of-living crisis. “Prices have risen a further 3.6 per cent in […]

The cost of childcare in Dublin has become so extortionate for families that it amounts to the cost of a second mortgage, according to Social Democrats Dublin Central byelection candidate Daniel Ennis. Councillor Ennis said: “Before the last general election, Tánaiste Simon Harris promised to publish a plan for reducing childcare costs to €200 per […]

Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice has called on the Minister for Health to introduce a rolling replacement programme for radiation therapy machines. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s health spokesperson, said: “At today’s Health Committee, we heard from the Irish Cancer Society and the Irish Society of Radiation Oncology about the indisputable need for a […]

It is madness that the Government refuses to adopt solar energy on a large scale to protect consumers from price shocks in the energy market, according to Social Democrats energy spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “Wholesale energy prices are up 19% in just a month as war raged in the Middle East, yet the […]

The Taoiseach does not believe that Tusla should be subject to an independent review as he believes it will paralyse the organisation, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “The volume of social workers in Tusla who have gotten in touch and expressed their concern about recently undertaken reforms is a […]

For too long, sexual health services have been treated as little more than an afterthought by the State, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is the Chair of the Oireachtas Health Committee, said: “A new Sexual Health Strategy was published last year, three years after the previous one expired, but […]

The Government is putting AirBnB ahead of renters as short term rental legislation is delayed, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne and Galway West byelection candidate Míde Nic Fhionnlaoich. Deputy Hearne said: “It’s been a year since Enterprise Minister Peter Burke secured Cabinet approval to publish the General Scheme of the new Short […]

Social media giants should not be allowed to make money from hosting fraudulent ads, according to Social Democrats finance spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “Research published this morning by the Central Bank showed that more than one in three people have been the victims of fraud, and almost two-thirds have lost money as a […]

We were elected to ensure our laws are fit for purpose – and it is high time we got on with doing that job New legislation to amend our abortion law, and ensure women no longer have to travel when they receive a devastating diagnosis of fatal foetal abnormality, is being introduced in the Dáil […]

An initiative by Social Democrats senator Patricia Stephenson, which will result in free travel for three months for those fleeing domestic violence, is to be introduced as a standalone scheme by Social Protection Minister Dara Calleary. Senator Stephenson said: “This proposal, which has received broad cross-party support, was introduced last October as my very first […]