Incoming Taoiseach’s speech on housing was big on spin but light on detail

The Taoiseach-in-waiting has political spin in spades without any discernible plan to tackle the housing crisis, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s spokesperson on housing, said: “Fine Gael’s new leader has stated that he wants to build 250,000 homes over the next five years, equating to 50,000 homes […]

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Dublin city’s problems require more than just a policing solution

Making Dublin city centre safer will require a multi-agency approach and not just a policing solution, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is a TD for Dublin Central, said: “In a newspaper interview published today, Dublin City Council’s chief executive Richard Shakespeare belatedly offers his views on last November’s riots and […]

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Education Minister must urgently address deepening teacher recruitment crisis

The Minister for Education is continuing to sleepwalk through the teacher recruitment crisis in our schools, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s education spokesperson, said: “The annual teachers’ conferences taking place this week should refocus Minister Foley’s mind on one of the most serious challenges facing our education […]

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Israel must be held accountable for latest killing of aid workers

The international community must hold Israel to account for the latest deaths of humanitarian aid workers in Gaza, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. “At a time when Israel is embarking on a deliberate policy of forced starvation of the Gazan population, the senseless killing of seven aid workers attached to the World Central […]

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Levels of homelessness exploding under this calamitous government

Taoiseach-in-waiting Simon Harris must step up, where his predecessors have failed, and immediately introduce a ban on no-fault eviction Levels of homelessness have exploded under the watch of this calamitous government – who seem more interested in jockeying for power than solving the housing disaster, according to Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. “There are […]

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Underwhelming international protection accommodation plan suggests government is floundering

Pushing targets for delivery out to 2028, while we are in the midst of a crisis, points to a government that is floundering The only surprise in the government’s new accommodation strategy for international protection applicants is that this flimsy document took so long to produce, according to Social Democrats Jennifer Whitmore. “Integration Minister Roderick […]

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Government inaction leaves residents in new developments in the lurch

What is the point of legislative scrutiny if the Government refuses to change bad plans? Government inaction is leaving residents in new developments waiting years for common areas to be taken over by local authorities, according to Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. “It can take years and even decades for public spaces in newer […]

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Government rejects affordable housing zoning amendment

The Government is continuing to ignore practical solutions to the housing crisis, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “People across Ireland are suffering the consequences of a chronic lack of affordable housing. “Rents are at record levels, houses prices are higher than their Celtic Tiger […]

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