News

Children in our most vulnerable educational settings cannot be left to pay the price for systemic teacher shortages, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “The recent survey published by the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) reporting that over half of special schools, 43% of Irish-medium schools and 35% of DEIS […]

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has paid tribute to social justice campaigner Sr Stanislaus Kennedy who passed away this morning. Deputy Cairns said: “For decades, Sr Stan was a tireless campaigner and advocate for some of the most marginalised people in our society, from the homeless to members of the migrant community. “Through her work […]

The rushed sell-off of AIB has already cost the taxpayer dearly as value of these shares have continued to rise, according to Social Democrats finance spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “These are the same taxpayers who suffered so much to bail out the reckless banks and incompetent governments of the Celtic Tiger. “Now, the […]

The seemingly never-ending torrent of increases in homeless numbers shows the government lost complete control of housing long ago, 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 16,614 people living in homeless emergency accommodation […]

Funding must be assigned to the Finglas LUAS extension so it can be fast tracked, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne, who represents the constituency. Deputy Hearne, who represents Dublin North-West, said: “The granting of planning permission for the extension of LUAS to Finglas is very welcome, but we need to see delivery as […]

Israel’s violations of the incredibly delicate ceasefire agreement in Gaza are war crimes, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “Today, Israel asserted that the Gaza ceasefire had ‘resumed’ after the Israeli Defence Forces killed over 100 people in a bombing campaign, including 35 children. “Ceasefires cannot be paused by […]

“I would like to send the biggest congratulations to Catherine on her resounding election victory, which is a seismic moment in our history. “Catherine is someone I have admired since I was first elected to the Dáil, not least because her values so closely align with those of the Social Democrats. I will always be […]

The chronic shortage of properties available within Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) limits will lead to a spiral of homelessness, Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne has warned. Deputy Hearne said: “The latest ‘Locked Out of the Market’ report from the Simon Communities of Ireland makes for grim reading. It shows that, in September, there was […]

Social Democrats justice spokesperson Gary Gannon has condemned the appalling violence which took place in Citywest last night. Deputy Gannon said: “The alleged sexual assault of a 10-year-old girl, who was supposed to be in the care of the State, is shocking on so many levels – my thoughts are with her and her family. […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has described a €3,500 fine handed down to Uisce Éireann following a sewage discharge into a Cavan river more than two years ago as little more than a slap of the wrist. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s environment spokesperson, said: “Uisce Éireann received a paltry €3,500 fine this month […]