News

Speaking in the Dáil today in relation to the report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes, Social Democrats spokesperson for Children, Jennifer Whitmore TD, said: “The responsibility to redress the grievances of survivors now lies with the State. The process of redress, if done right, will take time to fully reconcile […]

Speaking in the Dáil today in support of proper pay and conditions for student nurses and midwives, Social Democrats TD for Cork South-West, Holly Cairns, said: “The treatment of student nurses, midwives, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, radiographers and others is a glaring example of this Government’s utter indifference towards young people. “The Taoiseach […]

Reacting to the Government’s Affordable Housing Bill 2020, Social Democrats Housing spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan TD said: “Relying on the private sector for the provision of affordable housing is a broken model. Shared equity loans are more of the same old, failed, developer-led policymaking. We need a change of direction. “A review of the UK shared […]

Responding to remarks today from the Taoiseach that the Leaving Certificate needs to be reformed, Social Democrats spokesperson for Education, Gary Gannon TD, commented: “The needs of the 2021 students must be the impetus for lasting change when it comes to the Leaving Certificate examinations. “The Department of Education needs to hear the calls from […]

The Social Democrats Housing spokesperson, Cian O’Callaghan TD, is calling on the Government to take proactive steps to address the issue of Brexit-related construction cost increases. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “We need action on the part of Government to address Brexit-related increases in construction costs. Steel, for example, which is imported via Northern Ireland, is now […]

– Minister must set out return to school plan Education Minister Norma Foley needs to immediately reconvene talks and deliver a return to school plan for students with additional needs, according to Social Democrats Education spokesperson Gary Gannon. Commenting, Deputy Gannon said: “There is a need to identify exactly what measures must be put in […]

Social Democrats councillor Joan Hopkins will be calling for an award-winning local authority project, called ‘Participatory Budgeting,’ to be expanded into Fingal County when she puts forward a motion at this month’s council meeting. According to Cllr Hopkins, the idea for ‘Participatory Budgeting’ is that local residents get a direct say on which local projects […]

Last night’s RTÉ investigates programme put a spotlight on a homelessness crisis that has persisted for far too long, according to Social Democrats Housing spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan TD. Calling on the Government to commit to ending homelessness, Deputy O’Callaghan said: “Last night’s RTÉ investigates programme exposed a homeless support system that is badly broken. We […]

Responding to the findings of a recent independent review of the Climate Change Advisory Council, Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore said: “The independent review found that the Climate Change Advisory Council has been reactive to Government policy rather than proactive; has too many heads of State agencies as members; and has not communicated well with […]

Social Democrats spokesperson for Children, Jennifer Whitmore TD, has welcomed the Citizens’ Assembly’s support for a publicly funded childcare model. Deputy Whitmore said: “The Social Democrats have been calling for a public model for some time. We need a new model of childcare which is responsive to the needs of families, workers and children. “Budget […]