News

Social Democrats Spokesperson for Children Jennifer Whitmore has called on the government to urgently develop workable plans for the provision of childcare for frontline healthcare workers. The call comes following the recent announcement from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs that their proposed outreach scheme is unworkable. Deputy Whitmore has written to the Oireachtas […]

Holly Cairns TD, Social Democrats spokesperson for Rural and Community Development, welcomes the Department of Rural and Community Development’s COVID-19 Stability Fund for community and voluntary organisations, charities, and social enterprises. She encourages organisations to apply for the support immediately as there is a very tight turnaround. Holly explains: “Community and voluntary organisations have been […]

Following a process of engagement regarding the Framework Document proposed by Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, the Social Democrats have earlier today written to the leaders of those parties confirming that they will not be proceeding any further with negotiations for a Programme for Government. The Social Democrats made clear in the letter that they […]

Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon has said the continued exclusion from the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) of women returning to work after maternity leave is unacceptable, discriminatory and must be rectified as a matter of urgency.  Gary Gannon TD said, “The exclusion from the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) of women returning to work […]

Social Democrats TD and Spokesperson on Climate and Biodiversity, Jennifer Whitmore, has backed calls by Birdwatch Ireland and other environmental groups for the establishment of a Wildlife Crime Unit – something the Social Democrats themselves had proposed in their February 2020 General Election Manifesto. The call comes in the wake of the poisoning of 23 […]

Róisín Shortall, TD and co-leader of the Social Democrats, today raised serious concerns about Ireland’s readiness to begin reopening on the level proposed for May 18th under plans for Phase 1. Her concerns are based on three key areas which show little evidence to support the easing of restrictions to the extent envisaged: Test and trace […]

Cllr Ronan Moore, Social Democrats, has called on the government and Department of Education and Skills to urgently publish guidelines that schools would need to adhere to in order to reopen next September. In doing so he has voiced his concern that if such protocols are not developed soon then we risk having a repeat […]

Social Democrats TD for Wicklow, Jennifer Whitmore has called for a widening to other small Irish businesses of the postal rates now available to small bookshops during the Covid-19 crisis. Deputy Whitmore said: “Very many small independent businesses, including bookshops, have had to close their shop doors in response to the lockdown and many businesses […]

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD has welcomed the announcement that the Sisters of Charity have received approval from the Vatican to transfer ownership of the site for the new National Maternity Hospital to St Vincents Holdings CLG.  However, this does not constitute public ownership of the site.  Deputy Shortall said today’s development should be […]

In the Dáil this evening Social Democrats T.D. for Dublin Bay North, Deputy Cian O’Callaghan highlighted the impact overcrowding is having on the spread of COVID-19 and called on the Minister to roll out systematic testing for high-risk groups who live in overcrowded conditions. In advance of the debate, Cian O’Callaghan said: “It is clear […]