News

Housing Minister must immediately reinstate no-fault eviction ban Lack of basic protections for renters is contributing to record levels of homelessness, according to Social Democrats deputy leader Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “The latest figures show there are now 12,847 people living in homeless emergency accommodation. This is the […]

Minister for Health unable to provide details of new completion date or an estimate of final costs for troubled development The Minister for Health’s inability to provide a revised completion date or estimate of final costs for the new National Children’s Hospital shows that the Government has lost control of the project, according to Social […]

Despite dramatic falls in wholesale electricity costs, households face sky-high energy bills this winter Irish households are facing another winter of sky-high gas and electricity bills due to the Government’s failure to act on sky-high energy prices, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on energy, said: “It […]

The latest figures show that 68 per cent of those aged between 25 and 29 are still living with their parents New figures showing that the number of young adults still living with their parents has nearly doubled in the last decade should ring alarm bells for the Government, according to Social Democrats deputy leader […]

Children and adolescents experiencing mental health difficulties are being failed by the State Today’s damning report into Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) must be a catalyst for fundamental change in how the HSE operates, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “The independent review of CAMHS by Dr Susan Finnerty, the Inspector […]

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has welcomed the selection of Cllr Elisa O’Donovan as the party’s Limerick City West candidate for the 2024 Local Elections. Deputy Cairns, who took over the leadership of the Social Democrats from co-founders Róisín Shortall and Catherine Murphy earlier this year, visited the city today to meet with members of […]

Legislation underpinning assisted human reproduction is still not in place Social Democrats health spokesperson Róisín Shortall has called for additional funding to be allocated in next year’s Budget so that the eligibility criteria for assisted human reproduction (AHR) treatment can be widened. “Today’s announcement that publicly funded assisted human reproduction will commence from September is […]

This Government is good at making climate action plans but is poor when it comes to delivery The Government’s failure to address significant implementation gaps in its Climate Action Plan will make it next to impossible for Ireland to achieve its carbon reduction targets, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore was responding […]

There must be consequences for anyone attempting to sexually exploit people who are desperately trying to put a roof over their heads  A shocking RTÉ Investigates report will this week lay bare the consequences of the Government’s failure to protect renters from sexual exploitation, according to Social Democrats deputy leader Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who […]

There are now more than 6,000 older people approved for homecare left languishing on waiting lists  The Government’s announcement of increased pay rates for those working in State-funded home support services has been described as deeply cynical by Social Democrats health spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “The Minister for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler, indicated […]

The Social Democrats reject fearmongering The Social Democrats Dun Laoghaire branch is proud to join with dozens of local community groups and other political parties in launching our ‘Dún Laoghaire Welcomes’ campaign. Social Democrats Councillor Dave Quinn said: “I want to express my warm welcome to all those people who are seeking asylum and who […]

The government excels at climate rhetoric, but this is not matched with climate action Social Democrats Spokesperson for Climate, Jennifer Whitmore TD, has described the findings of the Environmental Protection Agency’s report as disappointing, but not surprising. Deputy Whitmore was commenting today after the EPA published its 2022 Greenhouse Gas Inventory report. “Emissions have come […]

We deserve to have a functioning fire service – one that respects retained firefighters and the valuable work they do The Government must outline what steps it will take to avert strike action by retained firefighters if Labour Court proposals to settle the dispute are rejected by SIPTU members, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer […]

The outcome of today’s European Parliament vote is welcome – but the devil will be in the detail of the law’s final text  Today’s passing of the Nature Restoration Law by the European Parliament will be meaningless if the final text of the legislation is watered down any further, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer […]