News

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has welcomed the potential establishment of a Joint Labour Committee (JLC) for the early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC) sector. The recommendation follows an eight-week pre-JLC consultation process initiated by the Minister for Children in partnership with SIPTU and CSI/Ibec, which was independently chaired by Dr Kevin […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has called on the Government to draw up an urgent plan to tackle the problem of illegal gorse fires around the country. Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson for Climate Action and Biodiversity, outlined the destructive impact that these fires have on the environment and […]

The Government’s social housing statistics demonstrate an increased reliance on long-term leasing arrangements across the country, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s spokesperson for Housing, has criticised this practice for being expensive and turning social housing into a profit-making exercise for private investors. He said: “Long-term leasing sees […]

Significant State investment in childcare and early education will be required to prevent a post-Covid crisis in the sector, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson for Children, was responding to concerns that childcare providers will face new challenges when restrictions are relaxed and the economy opens up […]

People who were illegally adopted in Ireland should not need legislation to allow them full access to their birth records and information, according to Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns. Speaking in the Dáil today in support of the Civil Registration (Right of Adoptees to Information) (Amendment) Bill 2021, Deputy Cairns said: “As we saw in […]

The Government’s social housing statistics demonstrate that private market-driven approaches continued to attract millions of Government funding in 2020, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s Housing spokesperson, commented: “The Department of Housing’s Construction Status Report saw housing delivery reach only 70% of its annual target. While restrictions were […]

Social Democrats Housing spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan TD is calling for renting to be made more affordable through a range of measures, including banning international investors and REITs from buying up new apartments. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “Private investor funds remain a major force in the housing market, as highlighted by the Quarter 4 Report from the Banking and […]

Social Democrats Housing spokesperson, Cian O’Callaghan TD, has called on the Minister for Housing to act on standards in emergency accommodation for people who have become homeless. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “It is very concerning that 34% of privately operated emergency homeless shelters had fire safety issues when they were inspected by the Dublin Region Homeless Executive […]

South Dublin County Council is to call on the Government to halt the progression of the Land Development Agency Bill following the passing of a motion submitted by Social Democrats Councillor Carly Bailey. Cllr Bailey had attempted to submit an emergency motion on the issue last month but was unsuccessful. After a special meeting of […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has accused the Minister for the Environment of an abdication of his responsibilities after he refused to take a Dáil question from her on the implications of CETA on environmental legislation. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson for Climate Action and Biodiversity, had submitted a priority question to Minister […]

Róisín Shortall TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats, has welcomed the resignation of the three senior executives from Davy today, describing it as a “starting point”. However, she has pointed out that a number of unanswered questions remain. Commenting, Deputy Shortall said: “The resignations of three senior executives from Davy today are welcome as a starting […]

The Social Democrats have accused Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien of being “in denial” on the impact the Government’s shared equity scheme could have on the cost of housing. Social Democrats Spokesperson on Housing, Cian O’Callaghan TD says the Minister needs to face up to facts. “When criticisms on the Government’s proposed shared equity scheme are coming […]

The Social Democrats believe that the Defence Forces Review is an opportunity for the Government to evolve Ireland’s entire defence and security framework in order to meet future challenges. Cian O’Callaghan TD, Social Democrats Spokesperson for Defence said on this: “Since the foundation of the modern Irish State, the Irish Defence Forces have put themselves […]

Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon today called on the Minister for Education to ensure that appropriate mitigation measures are taken so that schools can safely remain open. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s spokesperson for Education, said: “While the phased reopening of schools is something that we all wanted to see, the return to the […]