News

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

The costly employment of agency staff across the health system, including in mental health services, reflects a deep failure in workforce planning by successive governments, according to Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s spokesperson on mental health and disability, said: “Figures released to me by the HSE showed that the […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]