News

This Wednesday, 6th July, 2022, the Social Democrats are using their limited ‘Private Members’ Dáil time to put forward a motion for urgent action on disability. The sheer scale of inequality and injustice faced by disabled people, and families of children with special needs and disabilities, is disgraceful.  A lack of school places, under-staffed HSE teams, […]

The cost-of-living crisis is now an emergency, but the government is callously refusing to act. It is essential that the government introduces an emergency budget given inflation is now running at nearly 10pc, according to Social Democrats Finance Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “Inflation is now running at nearly 10pc. Price increases are becoming embedded across the […]

The Government must put in place the necessary funding to progress a vital local disability service for Swords and North County Dublin, according to Social Democrats Fingal Councillor Paul Mulville.  “The Central Remedial Clinic (CRC) has plans to develop a purpose built day building providing services for adults and children with disabilities, on North Street, […]

The Back To School allowance was higher in 2007 than it is now The government must act to provide relief for parents who spend up to €1,500 on back-to-school costs for each child, according to Social Democrats Children’s Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “Last year, a survey from the Irish League of Credit Unions revealed that 24% […]

It is now  just days before schools close for the summer – and 106 children are still without a class for next year Minister for Special Education Josepha Madigan must clarify if she misrepresented the position of four schools she claimed had not engaged with the Department about special education classes, according to Social Democrats […]

Mr Reid has joined the exodus of senior health officials who have also recently announced their resignations The abrupt resignation of HSE chief executive Paul Reid raises serious questions for Health Minister Stephen Donnelly, according to Social Democrats Health Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “In the first instance, I would like to wish Mr Reid well in […]

There are nearly 16 empty homes for every homeless person in the country The Government must urgently respond to the huge rise in homelessness over the past year, according to the Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. “There are now 10,325 people living in emergency accommodation, including 3,028 children. This is a 29% increase on […]

Students are paying the price of the State Examination Commission’s failure to plan It is completely unacceptable that Leaving Cert results will not be issued until September 2, according to Social Democrats Education Spokesperson Gary Gannon. “Delaying the Leaving Cert results until September 2 will cause huge levels of additional stress and worry. It will […]

Continued indecision, combined with soaring costs, is threatening the viability of hundreds of ECCE providers The government must provide clarity to the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) sector about the level of core funding they will receive in the autumn, according to Social Democrats Children Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “Many ECCE-only providers are finishing up […]

What does it say about this government when the Tories have a more generous approach to the living wage than it does? The government has abandoned its commitment to introduce a living wage that people can actually live on, according to Social Democrats co-leader and Finance Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “When this government came to power, […]