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Record numbers show children are being failed by the State as homelessness rises again

Today’s record homeless numbers are a direct result of failed Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael policies, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne made his comments as a new record high for homelessness was confirmed this afternoon: “Today’s figures show there were 15,747 people living in homeless emergency accommodation at the end […]

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Delay of essential alcohol labelling measure would be a retrograde step for public health

It’s outrageous that the government is willing to sacrifice an essential public health measure to keep the alcohol industry happy, according to Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney said: “It is unacceptable that alcohol labelling has officially been put on the back burner – sacrificing public health measures in favour of appeasing the alcohol […]

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Coalition in disarray over delivery of affordable childcare election promise

The coalition parties’ election promise of a €200 per month cap on childcare fees is looking hollower each passing day as discord spreads between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, according to Social Democrats children’s spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “Families are paying an average of €190 a week for childcare while rival government children’s […]

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Chief executives of local authorities must be held to account for failing to clamp down on illegal peat extraction

The chief executives of Ireland’s local authorities must be hauled into a meeting by the Minister for the Environment and read the riot act for failing to clamp down on illegal commercial peat extractors, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate and environment, said: “A report […]

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Ireland’s new corporate landlords to make windfall profits from government rental measures

Share prices and returns for the country’s biggest institutional landlord are expected to surge in the wake of the government’s rent reforms, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “Analysts have today confirmed that rent increases are expected to double, and returns surge, at the country’s biggest landlord, Ires Reit, thanks […]

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Omission of services from draft Occupied Territories Bill shows government lacks conviction

It’s utterly unconscionable that the government has reduced the Occupied Territories Bill to a toothless shadow of itself by removing the ban on services, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “It’s deeply disappointing but perhaps unsurprising that there is no mention of banning services in the government’s limp iteration […]

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Minister must address glaring gaps in new National Sexual Health Strategy

The long overdue publication of the new National Sexual Health Strategy 2025-2035, while welcome, contains some glaring gaps that the Minister must address, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s spokesperson on health, said: “The last strategy, which covered 2015-2020, was understandably extended until the end of 2022 as […]

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Whitmore slams unacceptable delays to ACRES payments

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has criticised the Department of Agriculture for ongoing delays to ACRES (Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme) payments for 2024. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on agriculture, said: “Nationally, there are 2,961 farmers waiting for their 2024 advance, with 8,315 waiting for any payment at all. “In my own Wicklow […]

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New US visa social media rules are invasive and excessive

Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins has described the US embassy’s new social media vetting requirements for Irish applicants seeking education and exchange visas as a serious overreach. Deputy Cummins, who is the party’s spokesperson on higher education, said: “Asking visa applicants to set their social media accounts to public to allow their posts to be […]

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