News

It’s a disgrace that hundreds of primary schools previously told they would begin providing hot school meals in September will now face delays, with the scheme postponed until mid to late October, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins TD. Deputy Cummins said: “When were schools actually told this was happening? The lack of […]

Why has this government enabled large supermarkets to keep their profits secret? A review of the supermarket sector by the consumer regulator has detailed enormous price spikes in agri-food supply chains that must be investigated, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “This report from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) […]

The findings of the latest Barnardos “Back to School” survey are deeply concerning, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “More than half of parents in Ireland are worried about the costs associated with returning to school, with many turning to savings, loans, and significant cutbacks in order to meet these […]

My experience as a youth worker tells me that young people engaged in criminal behaviour often don’t choose it Social Democrats children’s spokesperson Aidan Farrelly has strongly criticised the government following the publication of a Probation Service report that confirms there has been a 10 percent increase in child referrals to the service. Deputy Farrelly […]

The government must enact the Occupied Territories Bill (OTB) without delay following today’s finding by the Foreign Affairs Committee that there is no legal impediment to including services, as well as goods, in the legislation, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “The committee’s report, published today, clearly demonstrates that […]

Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly has called on the Minister for Children to address concerns within the childcare sector relating to the core funding model. Deputy Farrelly, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, was commenting on reports today that a childcare provider had withdrawn a number of its Dublin-based services from the government’s funding […]

Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide has criticised the Government’s lack of support for Gaeltacht areas in the updated National Development Plan. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s spokesperson on the Gaeltacht, said: “The government’s updated National Development Plan includes funding for housing, energy, water and transport projects between 2026 and 2030, but fails to set […]

Tusla urgently needs an independent capacity review and a full workforce planning assessment, according to Social Democrats’ children and equality spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. In response to a Freedom of Information release of an internal Tusla report – indicating that thousands of days have been missed by care staff due to violent incidents and illness – […]

Government plans to instruct local authorities to double the amount of land zoned for housing will not guarantee the delivery of new homes, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “Guidelines being brought to Cabinet today will require councils around the country to collectively zone enough […]

Government pledge to add 5,000 new gardaí over the next five years is little more than a pipe dream It is crucial that the new Garda Commissioner approaches the role with an open mind and an open door, according to Social Democrats justice spokesperson Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon said: “At the outset, I would like […]