News

Annual report of Special Rapporteur on Child Protection says more children experienced homelessness and poverty in 2022 Tomorrow’s change of Taoiseach will make zero difference to the lives of children experiencing record levels of poverty, deprivation and homelessness, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Children, said: […]

The Government is good at producing documents and headlines on climate action but falls down badly on delivery The updated Climate Action Plan, due to be published next week, must reflect the new reality that Ireland’s emissions have increased and key carbon reduction targets continue to be missed by the Government, according to Social Democrats […]

Attack on UN convoy is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by members of the Defence Forces on peacekeeping missions News of the death of an Irish peacekeeper in Lebanon has caused profound shock and sadness throughout Ireland, according to Social Democrats Defence spokesperson Gary Gannon. “This morning we woke up to the terrible news […]

Latest figures come just one day after Minister survives confidence motion  The latest national Residential Property Price Index (RPPI) shows that the Government has failed to curb rising house prices, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s spokesperson on Housing, said: “The index increased by 9.8 percent in the […]

The law is inadvertently facilitating the further abuse of social housing tenants Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns has called on the Government to make changes to legislation to protect social housing tenants who are survivors of domestic abuse. “As things stand, a person who is abusing their partner can refuse to relinquish their rights under […]

Parents and families should not have to wait any longer for the protections and security of legal certainty Confirmation that that Government intends to legislate for international surrogacy is hugely welcome, according to Social Democrats Children’s spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who chaired the Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy, said: “I am pleased that the […]

An Bord Pleanála needs to be protected from political interference Legislation being rushed through the Dáil this week has the potential to further erode public confidence in the planning system, according to Social Democrats Housing spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. “This regressive Bill seeks to concentrate power in the Minister’s hands when it comes to the appointment […]

Shocking figures show that 20% of social housing residents with pre-paid meters in one district energy block have been cut-off from heating and hot water  Social Democrats Housing spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan has called for immediate State supports for residents reliant on district energy systems after it emerged that some households have been charged extortionate rates […]

Halfway through this Government’s term, all key housing statistics are pointing in the wrong direction Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan has confirmed that his party will be voting against tomorrow’s Government motion expressing confidence in Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s Housing spokesperson, said: “We are now halfway through this Government’s […]

Will the Minister now take on board the Social Democrats’ 11 proposals to deal with recruitment crisis in our schools?  Comments made by Tánaiste Leo Varadkar in the Dáil today add another bizarre twist to the Government’s botched response to the teacher recruitment crisis, according to Social Democrats Education Spokesperson Gary Gannon. “In response to […]