News

A new report highlighting the impact of poverty on a child’s performance in school is further proof that the Government got its priorities badly wrong in last week’s budget, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s education spokesperson, said: “The ‘Children’s School Lives’ study, which looked at 4,000 students […]

Disability services were shamefully neglected by the Government in Budget 2025, according to a breakdown of figures provided to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. Deputy Cairns, who is the party’s spokesperson on disability, said: “Every year we go through the same farce of this Government announcing a high-level figure for investment in disability services. This […]

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has welcomed the Government’s belated decision to ratify the optional protocol of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and has called for the process to be completed without any further delay. “Ireland signed the UNCRPD as far back as 2007 and ratified it in 2018. But […]

The Taoiseach must use the opportunity of his White House meeting with President Joe Biden this week to express Ireland’s grave concerns about the threat to the safety of Irish peacekeepers in Southern Lebanon, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s spokesperson on defence and foreign affairs, said: “The […]

Homes and businesses impacted by flooding in Bantry at the weekend must be given immediate financial supports, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. “Flooding at the weekend in Bantry was disastrous – but, regrettably, it was not surprising. In 2020, many of the same premises were devastated in serious flooding and, despite assurances that […]

An analysis of Budget 2025 by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) provides further evidence that the Government have prioritised electoral gain over lifting vulnerable groups out of poverty, according to Social Democrats finance spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “Despite the headline grabbing short-term measures announced on Tuesday, the ESRI has warned that poverty among the […]

Today’s revelations that private fee-paying schools will be allowed to apply for a slice of the €9 million budget allocation to purchase mobile phone pouches have added new levels of farce to the controversy, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s spokesperson on education, said: “Spending €9 million in […]

Social Democrats councillor Elisa O’Donovan has strongly criticised unacceptably long waiting lists for orthodontic treatments for children under the age of 16 in the Mid-West region. Cllr O’Donovan, who is the party’s general election candidate in Limerick city, said: “Figures I received from the HSE are deeply concerning. There are currently 676 young people on […]

Lessons must be learnt from Irish Rail’s shambolic handling of recent timetable changes to DART and Northern Commuter services, according to Social Democrats councillor Joan Hopkins. Cllr Hopkins, who is the party’s general election candidate in Dublin Fingal East, said: “Today’s announcement by Iarnród Éireann that it has decided to scrap recent timetable changes will […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has urged the Government to establish a dedicated wildlife crime unit within An Garda Síochána. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on biodiversity, said: “A report published today by the Journal Investigates shines disturbing new light on the extent of Ireland’s underground wildlife trade. Detailing unspeakable acts of cruelty, […]