News

Social Democrats spokesperson for the Arts, Gary Gannon TD, said today that a reduction in the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) will be devastating for Ireland’s artistic community. Deputy Gannon said: “The PUP extension announced by the Government yesterday as part of the July stimulus package fails to take into account the circumstances of many people […]

Catherine Murphy TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, has said that the €5 billion stimulus package announced this afternoon by the Government must be about putting money into cash registers and into the pockets of those who need it most and will spend it in the short-term. Deputy Murphy said: “While there are positive measures […]

Cian O’Callaghan TD, the Social Democrats spokesperson on Housing and Planning, said today that the decision by the High Court to overturn planning permission for 245 apartments on the former Premier Dairies site in Dublin casts serious doubt over the Strategic Housing Development process. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “The High Court quashed the planning permission granted […]

Catherine Murphy TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, said today it beggars belief that the Government has not yet laid out a clear roadmap for the safe reopening of schools at the end of August. Deputy Murphy said: “We are just weeks away from the time when children should begin returning to school and there […]

Social Democrats Councillor for Rush/Lusk, Paul Mulville, has called on Fingal County Council to re-double its efforts to meet its target this year for the provision of Housing First units. Housing First means that if someone is homeless, their housing needs are addressed as an immediate priority.  Any presenting issues they may also have, such […]

The Government’s publication of a green list of countries last night has done nothing to clear up widespread public confusion on the issue of foreign travel, according to Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats. Deputy Shortall said: “It has now emerged there were conflicting views within the Cabinet about the merit of publishing […]

Gary Gannon TD, the Social Democrats spokesperson on Education, has called on the Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD, to urgently address the Dáil and provide details of the Government’s plans for reopening schools in five weeks’ time Deputy Gannon said: “Yesterday I attended a meeting between Minister Foley and Opposition spokespeople for Education. Following […]

Holly Cairns TD, the Social Democrats spokesperson on Higher Education, says the Government’s announcement of a €160m funding package for the third level sector falls far short of what is required. Deputy Cairns said: “While any increase in financial supports for students would be welcome under normal circumstances, we are not living in ordinary times […]

The long overdue publication of a green list of 15 countries is meaningless and likely to add to public confusion about the public health message from NPHET not to undertake non-essential foreign travel, according to Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats. Deputy Shortall said: “The publication of the green list brings no real […]

Speaking after the conclusion of the EU Council summit this morning, Holly Cairns TD, the Social Democrats spokesperson on Agriculture, said: “In real terms, CAP for the next seven years is going to be down by about 9%, which is worrying for Ireland’s agricultural sector. “It is essential that the Government devises strategies to maintain […]