News

Bill to increase leave for working parents to become law in weeks

[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.8″ custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.8″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”excerpt” disabled_on=”on|on|on” _builder_version=”3.9″ disabled=”on”] A Social Democrats private members’ bill to increase unpaid leave entitlements for working parents is due to complete its passage through the Oireachtas in the coming weeks. [/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https://www.socialdemocrats.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/P1030447.jpg” align=”center” disabled_on=”off|off|off” _builder_version=”3.9″ max_width=”84%”]   [/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Body Text” _builder_version=”3.9″ ul_font_size=”18px” ul_line_height=”1.7em” ol_font_size=”18px” ol_line_height=”1.7em”] “For parents […]

Read more

Social Democrats’ bill to increase parental leave to six months goes to committee tomorrow

A Social Democrats’ private members’ bill to enable working parents to spend more time caring for their children goes to committee stage tomorrow, Wednesday 16th May. The Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2017 allows parents to take a total of six months (26 weeks) unpaid leave from their jobs without their employment rights being affected. This […]

Read more

Minister for Health needs to make sure that all 206 women affected by cervical cancer scare are notified immediately

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD today called on the Minister for Health to intervene to make sure that all 206 women whose smear tests have shown they have cervical cancer are notified immediately. Deputy Shortall said: “It beggars belief that no lessons appear to have been learned out of the tragedy of Vicky Phelan’s […]

Read more

Proposals for more accountable government in wake of INM lobbying scandal

The Social Democrats today publish reform proposals to make lobbying activities more open and government decisions more accountable. The initiative is in direct response to the recent controversy over highly inappropriate contacts between Communications Minister Denis Naughten and a professional lobbyist for Independent News and Media in relation to the company’s proposed takeover of Celtic […]

Read more

Primary school capitation grants must be restored to ease burden on parents

The Social Democrats have said the government must restore capitation rates for primary schools in this year’s Budget to ease the unsustainable burden on parents of subsidising the State’s ‘free education’. The party’s co-leader Róisín Shortall TD made the call following reports today of analysis by Grant Thornton which shows that parents are forking out […]

Read more

Social Democrats select Aengus Ó Maoláin to contest Dublin West

The Social Democrats have selected Aengus Ó Maoláin to contest the next general election in Dublin West for the party. Party members met in the Bell in Blanchardstown on Monday the 9th of April where Ó Maoláin was chosen unanimously to represent the party. Speaking at the convention Ó Maoláin said, “the Social Democrats speak […]

Read more

Reversal of FEMPI cuts key to ensuring decent public access to GP services

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD today called on the Government to wake up to the crisis in General Practice and set out a timetable to reverse austerity cuts which are harming GP practices and patients. Deputy Shortall made her comments as major differences have emerged between the State and doctors over the scale of […]

Read more

Official incompetence and lack of accountability at heart of Department of Justice email review

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD has expressed incredulity at the findings of the review into the Department of Justice’s failure to forward key documents to the Charleton Tribunal. Deputy Shortall said: “The review carried out by Senior Counsel Michael Collins shows an alarming degree of incompetence and laxity within the Department in its handling […]

Read more

Dublin MetroLink cannot be allowed to destroy Na Fianna GAA club

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD has called on Transport Infrastructure Ireland to make a commitment to engage with public representatives and Na Fianna personnel to find alternatives to the use of the Glasnevin club’s GAA pitches for the new MetroLink route. The Dublin North West TD said: “The planned use of Na Fianna’s grounds […]

Read more

Ratification of UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities hardly worth the paper it’s written on

Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, has branded as ‘disgraceful’ a response from the Minister of State with responsibility for Disability issues, Finian McGrath where he admits he has no plan or timeframe for the enactment of a key component of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Deputy Shortall […]

Read more