News

Criticism of ABP should not allow this government, and previous governments, to escape censure for this debacle The upbeat appraisal of An Bord Pleanála to a devastating critique from the Office of the Planning Regulator is bizarre and concerning, according to Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. “The report from the Office of the Planning […]

This deal typifies everything that is wrong with the government’s approach to housing The government must explain why State resources are being used to bankroll developments for investment funds, according to Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan commented after it was revealed that Home Building Finance Ireland (HBFI) is financing the construction of […]

Why is the Minister continuing to give experts and patient advocates the cold shoulder?  The Minister for Health must explain why he’s ignored repeated calls to fund the Mater’s Long Covid Clinic, according to Social Democrats Health Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “The Mater’s clinic is the longest running Long Covid clinic in Ireland and yet it’s […]

Alarming growth in the number of people homeless requires an emergency response The latest homelessness figures released today demand no less than an emergency response from the Government, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s Housing spokesperson, said: “The latest figures reveal that there are now 3,220 children homeless […]

Bulk of €124 million in unclaimed prize money spent on advertising and promotion, according to report Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy has welcomed recommendations contained in the Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report on the Accounts of the Public Services for 2021 relating to oversight of the National Lottery’s finances. Deputy Murphy, who is vice-chair of […]

Increased funding for sector flies in the face of public opinion  The Government has failed to listen to animal welfare organisations by yet again increasing funding for the greyhound racing industry in this week’s budget, according to Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns. Deputy Cairns, who is the party’s spokesperson on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, […]

One-off €500 disability payment smacks of token gesture Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns has criticised the Government for failing to address the cost of having a disability in Budget 2023. Deputy Cairns, who is the party’s Disability spokesperson, said: “As recently as July, the Government passed my motion calling for an increase in the Disability […]

Government is clearly not serious about ending child poverty  The Qualified Child Increase of €2 announced in yesterday’s budget has been described as shamefully inadequate by Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s spokesperson on Social Protection, said: “This miserly increase is an insult to vulnerable families and proves that this […]

Grandiose announcements and spin from the Government simply won’t cut it Extra funding in the budget for retrofitting and energy schemes will be meaningless if the Government continues to miss its own completion targets, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Climate and Biodiversity, said: “There is […]

The vacant homes tax, proposed by the government, is especially pathetic  The government’s budget can be characterised by a fundamental lack of targeting with high income earners benefiting disproportionately, according to Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall. “A failure to target supports at those who need them most is a recurring theme with this government – and […]

Budget decision to exclude secondary schools is baffling The families of second level students have been abandoned by the Government in today’s budget, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon TD. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s spokesperson on Education, said: “It is frankly baffling to see the exclusion of second level students from the […]

New measure will encourage dereliction The new Vacant Homes Tax has been set far too low, according to the Social Democrats Housing spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. Commenting on Budget 2023, Deputy O’Callaghan said: “The new Vacant Homes Tax is too weak to work. This tax must be set at a much higher rate to bring vacant […]

Rent Pressure Zones must be extended nationwide The proposed tax credit for renters in today’s budget will be gobbled up by landlords through rent increases, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s spokesperson on Housing, said: “Without properly enforced nationwide rent controls, the tax credit for renters will simply […]

Government needs to urgently address underlying causes of crisis The Government has missed key targets in the delivery of social, affordable and cost rental homes due to its failure to address the underlying causes of the housing crisis, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s spokesperson on Housing, said: […]