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People with disabilities and family carers have been badly let down in budget

People with disabilities and their families have been failed by Budget 2026, according to Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s spokesperson on disability, said: “It has long been recognised that having a disability comes with significant additional financial pressures, including the costs of therapies, equipment and transport. Despite repeated calls […]

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Budget 2026 set to plunge most vulnerable into poverty

The Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) has laid bare the stark reality facing our most vulnerable citizens: the government’s decisions in the budget are set to increase poverty rates, according to Social Democrats finance spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “The Budget 2026 Flash Impact Analysis report, published this morning by the PBO, found that income […]

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Government must act to ensure safety of Irish citizens illegally detained by Israel

The government must urgently intervene to ensure the safety of Irish citizens illegally detained by Israeli forces in international waters, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “Reports today indicate that up to five Irish people, including a member of the Oireachtas, are being held by the IDF after a […]

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Chair of the Oireachtas Health Committee to launch pre legislative report on Assisted Human Reproduction

Supplementary legislation must ensure no family is left behind when it comes to assisted human reproduction, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who today will launch a report on the matter as Chair of the Oireachtas Health Committee, said: “The journey towards robust legislation to regulate and support donor assisted human […]

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Budget’s failure to address childcare costs is shameful

Today’s budget will be met with bitter disappointment by parents due to the absence of measures to bring down the cost of childcare, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “Despite Tánaiste Simon Harris expressing support for a public model of childcare before last year’s […]

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Developers and investor funds prioritised over housing needs of generation rent in Budget 2026

The government has splashed the cash to the tune of half a billion euro in order to provide tax cuts for multi-millionaire investor funds and developers, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Heane said: “Those in need of affordable homes – renters, generations stuck in their childhood bedrooms, and working families – […]

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Struggling households will find government’s McBudget hard to swallow

Budget 2026 will be remembered for prioritising big developers and fast-food chains over the needs of struggling households, according to Social Democrats finance spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “This is a budget characterised by bad choices and missed opportunities. It paints a picture of a government firmly on the side of vested interests rather […]

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Third level students set to be betrayed in Budget

Third level students are set to be betrayed by the government in tomorrow’s Budget, with a cut of just €500 in college fees expected to be announced, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins, who is the party’s spokesperson on further and higher education, said: “Students and their families had become accustomed to […]

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Family of Dublin man detained in Israel appeals for information

The Irish Government must do all it can to get detainees from the Sumud flotilla released from prison in Israel, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, a TD for Dublin North West said: “One of my constituents Diarmuid Mac Dubhghlais was abducted illegally by Israel when he was aboard the global Sumud […]

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